Olive oil mill effluent (OOME). New substrate for biosurfactant production

Abstract Research was undertaken to investigate whether olive oil mill effluent (OOME) could be used as raw material for biosurfactant production. Different biosurfactant-producing strains were assated and several strains of Pseudomonas sp. were able to grow on OOME as the sole carbon source and accumulate rhamnolipids. Samples of OOME were diluted depending on their composition and it was only necessary to add NaNO3 (0·25 g litre−1). Conversion yield was 0·058 g of rhamnolipid per g of substrate (OOME) if calculated from initial COD. COD of OOME was reduced about 50% in 72 h.