## 1 Introduction  
Currently, there is an acute problem with the utilization of synthetic organic surfactants that interfere with the normal functioning of the ecosystem. Surfactants are organic substances that contain hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. They are divided into ionic and non-ionic, depending on their ability to dissociate. Ionic surfactants include anionic, cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants in accordance with the negative, positive and neutral charge of the hydrophilic group [1]. One of the most utilized groups of surfactants is betaine surfactants (zwitterionic). They are widely used as components of industrial, household and cosmetic products due to their surface-active properties and resistance to oxidation. They stabilize the interfacial surface, contributing to the formation of aggregative unstable systems, for example, foams in surfactant compositions [2]. Some types of betaine surfactants are used in oil fields to achieve hydraulic fracturing, as additives to demulisifiers, to increase oil recovery [3]. Due to its antistatic properties, as well as the ability to actively foam and increase the viscosity of solutions, the zwitterion alkylamidobetaine surfactant cocamidoproyplteaine (CAPB) is widely used on the market [4, 5]. Scientific sources have data on the toxicity of betaine surfactants, in particular cocamidoproyplteaine. It is proved that surfactant interferes with the phospholipid bilayer of the cell and binds to membrane proteins, thereby disrupting their functions and causing lysis of living cells. Once inside the cell, surfactant affects the organization of thylakoids and the synthesis of chlorophyll [6; 7]. The ability of CAPB to manifest powerful anti-septic properties was proved in [8; 9]. In addition, dropping off surfactants to biological treatment facilities can cause serious problems in the operation of activated sludge, in particular, the inhibition of protein structures of microorganisms [2; 10; 11]. Surfactants also cause increased foaming and are adsorbed on bacterial cells, which negatively affects the biodegradation of wastewater components [12; 13]. To date, it has been possible to identify fragments that are formed as a result of the destruction of cocamidopropylbetaine under the influence of physic and chemical factors. The author of [14] found that the destruction of this surfactant leads to the formation of N,N-dimethylglycine, which subsequently decomposes into acetic acid anion, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, carbon dioxide and N-allyammonium forms. Next, the N-allyammonium derivatives decompose into an acyl ion or an ammonium ion, which is a very toxic cation (Figure 1). It was proved that the safest and most effective method of surfactant utilization is the biological method, since in the process of enzymatic decomposition, the final products do not pose a danger to the environment [15; 16]. The decomposition of betaine surfactants includes the decomposition of the hydrophobic chain of the fatty acid and the biodegradation of the hydrophilic part. The fat chain undergoes destruction by the mechanisms of \(\omega\)-oxidation and \(\beta\)-oxidation. After \(\omega\)-oxidation, a hydrophilic molecule with a low molecular weight remains. The process of \(\beta\)-oxidation of alkylbteaine is accompanied by further decomposition to methane, carbon dioxide and ammonia [13]. It is known that strains of microorganisms of the genus _Pseudomonas_ are destructors of a wide range of hydrocarbons [16; 17]. This is due to the peculiarities of the peripheral metabolism of bacteria and the peculiarities of the structure of the cell wall [4; 18]. Strains of this genus are present in large quantities in wastewater, in sewage treatment plants and in soil. Due to the fact that they are constantly exposed to high concentrations of toxic compounds, through natural selection they have acquired a high biodegradable potential. On account of these features, representatives of this genus are promising objects of biotechnological research.