Microbial conversion of n-alkanes into glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids, by Pseudozyma (Candida antarctica)

n-Alkanes ranging from C12 to C18 were converted into glycolipid biosurfactants, mannosylerythritol lipids (MEL), by resting cells of Pseudozyma (Candida) antarctica T-34. The highest yield (0.87 g g−1 substrate) was obtained from 6% (v/v) of n-octadecane after 7 days reaction. The amount of MEL reached 140 g l−1 by intermittent feeding of the substrate.