SIMULTANEOUS PRODUCTION OF BIOSURFACTANTS AND LIPASES FROM Aspergillus niger AND OPTIMIZATION BY RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY AND DESIRABILITY FUNCTIONS

Abstract Microbial conversion for the synthesis of high added-value compounds, such as biosurfactants and lipases, is one of the most promising fields within the biotechnology industry, given its current development. In this study the simultaneous production of biosurfactants and lipases by Aspergillus niger in a submerged bioprocess was analyzed. Full Factorial Design (23) was conducted to assess the influence of the malt extract (g·L-1; 25, 50, 75) and soybean oil concentrations (% v/v; 0.0, 1.25, 2.5) and agitation rates (rpm; 0.0, 100, 200) on biosurfactant and lipase production. Higher levels of the factors favored microbial growth, while their lower levels favored the production of biosurfactants and lipases. The variables were optimized through the response surface methodology and desirability functions, obtaining simultaneous maximized values of 0.48 g·L-1 (biomass); 42.03% (EAw/o);2.17 UE (EAw/o) and 3.28 U (LA). This indicates the possibility of combined biosurfactant and lipase production.