The strain SVGG16 isolated from tropical soil in Brazil and identified as Serratia sp. was selected as a promising biosurfactant producer using atypic growth conditions including ethanol-blended gasoline as the sole carbon source. Important parameters for biosurfactant production were selected through experimental design. Results demonstrated that this strain was able to reduce surface tension of the medium to 34 mN m(-1) , showing potential to be used in bioremediation processes. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.