In the present study, low cost media based on sugarcane molasses and three different oils, viz. soybean
oil, sunflower oil or olive oil, were evaluated for the production of sophorolipids (SLs) from the yeast Candida
bombicola in batch shake flasks. At the end of 5 days fermentation period, medium containing only
molasses and soybean oil gave a maximum SLs yield of 23.25 ± 1.07 g/l compared to other media containing
sugarcane molasses and either sunflower oil or olive oil. Moreover, the obtained yield was comparable
to that obtained using a conventional synthetic medium having yeast extract, urea, soybean oil and
glucose. Emulsification activity and stability of the produced SLs using different oils, and the effect of
pH and temperature on the same were also studied. And these properties of the biosurfactant indicated
good potential of the cheaply produced SLs in the pretreatment of high fats and oils containing food
industry wastewaters.