Valorization of Oil Waste for Biodetergent Production Using Serratia Marcescens N2 and Gamma Irradiation Assisted Biorecovery

Abstract The aim of the present work is to valorize previously used frying oil and use it as biodetergent. Serratia marscens N2 valorized 20% used oil and 8% cell concentration, the biosurfactant produced was a negatively charged lipopeptide with surface tension of 26.8 mN/m. Gamma radiation was used to obtain the higher yield of the biosurfactant by exposing the cells after growth under optimal conditions to low dose gamma radiation. The results showed that the use of radiation led to an increase in the amount of biosurfactant, and the biorecovery took place in a shorter time than usual. The chemical or functional form of the substance did not change at doses of 500 and 1000 gray, while there was a change in production and chemical and functional form at the dose of 2000 gray. The produced biosurfactant was used before and after irradiation to wash oil soiled cloths, the results showed 87% removal at 60oC under stirring conditions. Skin irritation tests performed on experimental mice showed that the surfactant does not cause any inflammation or red spots. Optical images of cloth patches showed no effect on fabric threads post washing the oil soiled cloth patches with biosurfactant. This study proved that 1) previously used oil can be bioconverted into biosurfactant and 2) the use of low doses gamma radiation results in an increase in biosurfactant yield by creating holes in the bacterial cell wall, which helps to recover more quantities of the biosurfactant without change in its chemical or functional form.