Optimization of Sophorolipid Production in the Yeast Candida riodocensis via Response Surface Methodology

Demand for surfactants is constantly increasing worldwide due to their versatile applications. Here, optimization of biosurfactant production by Candida riodocensis GT-SL1R sp. nov. yeast strain was studied, using Box-Behnken Design (BBD). The components used for optimizing culture conditions were yeast extract concentration, pH, and culture time. These studied factors significantly affect the yeast production ability as a cell factory of the biosurfactant sophorolipids from substrates glucose and palm oil. The response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to create three-factor forecasting models for characterizing biosurfactant production concerning the yield with R²=0.9655. The highest biosurfactant yield was 21.47±0.38 g L^-1which is simultaneously obtained under the optimum culture condition of 1% yeast extract, pH of 4.5 and 5 day-cultivation. Thus, the BBD was useful for determining optimal sophorolipid production conditions. The novel yeast-derived sophorolipid biosurfactant could be a viable producer in upscale production for future uses in the biosurfactant industry.