Determination of some Optimal Conditions for the Production of Biosurfactant from Lactobacillus acidophilus ZA25 Isolated from the Vagina

Background: Biosurfactants are amphiphilic surface-active molecules produced by microorganisms that have distinctive properties such as emulsifying, anti-adhesive, and antimicrobial behavior. Objective: The current study investigates the optimal conditions and identifies the best isolate of Lactobacillus acidophilus, a vaginal bacterium, that produces biosurfactant. This isolate was obtained from healthy women. Methodology: All isolates were identified by morphological, microscopical, and biochemical tests, and then they were submitted to primary and secondary screening procedures to identify the most efficient Lactobacillus isolate for biosurfactant production. Results: Among all isolates screened, L. acidophilus ZA25 was found to have the highest productivity of the biosurfactant. Optimization findings revealed that the optimal conditions for producing the biosurfactant from this isolate were: MRS broth with 5% olive oil as the culture medium, a temperature of 37 °C, anaerobic conditions, a pH of 6, and a 72-hour incubation period. The biosurfactant showed high antifungal activity when tested against Candida albicans. Conclusion: The chemical composition of the producing media and the physical conditions of incubation influence biosurfactant production by L. acidophilus. The produced biosurfactant has antifungal effect.