Producción de biosurfactantes por la fermentación con bacillus subtilis para el uso de aguas residuales agroindustriales

Abstract

Biosurfactants are biodegradable compounds with industrial and environmental applications. This study evaluated biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis using agro-industrial wastewaters. Corn, quinoa and plantain washing waters were characterized, quinoa water was selected as substrate, and fermentations were performed in 1 L bioreactors with controlled temperature and agitation. The experiments confirmed biosurfactant production through surface tension reduction and emulsifying activity. Yields were within the reported range, with differences between operational conditions. Moreover, qualitative tests validated the presence of surface-active compounds. It is concluded that quinoa-washing wastewater can be valorized for biosurfactant production, providing a sustainable alternative. Keywords: Bacillus subtilis, agro-industrial wastewater, biosurfactants, bioreactors, surfaceactive compounds.