Publication Date:
2018-03-12
Description:
Aureobasidium melanogenum is the main fungus found in a spontaneously formed biofilm on a oil-treated wood. This dark colored biofilm functions as a protective coating. To better understand biofilm formation, in this study A. melanogenum was cultured on olive oil and raw linseed oil. Metabolic activity and oil conversion were measured. The results show that A. melanogenum is able to grow on linseed oil and olive oil as a single carbon source. The fungus produces the enzyme lipase to convert the oil into fatty acids and glycerol. Metabolic activity and oil conversion were equal on linseed oil and olive oil. The fungus was not able to grow on severe cross-linked linseed oil, meaning that the degree of cross-linking of the oil is important for growth of A. melanogenum . Dark coloring of the colony was seen on linseed oil, which might be a stress response on the presence of autoxidation products in linseed oil. The colony on olive oil showed delayed melanin production indicating an inhibitory effect of olive oil on melanin production. A uniform dark colored biofilm containing Aureobasidium melanogenum on oil-impregnated wood can be used as an environmentally friendly protective coating. For large-scale application, better understanding of the formation process is needed. This study focuses on the effect of oil type and cross-linking on growth of A. melanogenum .
Electronic ISSN:
2045-8827
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
