Isolation and Characterization of Bio-surfactant Producing Bacteria

Abstract

Oil spillages are so common in many fields which lead to contaminated soil. Soil polluted land filling contains bacteria that produce a broad spectrum of bio-surfactants. Bio-surfactant as an efficient biological surfaceactive agent may provide an alternative solution for the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastes. The biosurfactant has more potential efficiency in the process of remedying natural resources. Surfactin, Iturin and Fengycin are widely studied bio-surfactants. The present study was aimed to isolate and characterize the biosurfactant producing bacteria from the soil samples collected from the petrol bunk. Two isolates obtained were used for the further analysis. Catalase, Lactose fermentation, Citrate utilization tests were positive for isolate 1 and identified as Staphylococcus sp. Starch hydrolysis, Methyl red test, Catalase, Lactose fermentation, Citrate utilization tests and Nitrate reduction were positive for isolate 2 and identified as Bacillus sp. The samples were anlayzed for the Bio-surfactant property using Haemolytic activity, oil drop assay, oil collapse activity and emulsification test. The functional group was detected using the FTIR analysis. Bacillus sp. strains have more potent biosurfactant property than Staphylococcus sp. and they act as bio-surfactants in removing the stains. Biochemical characterization of isolated samples, determination of bio-surfactant producing organism by oil spreading activity, drop collapse assay, oil spreading activity and biofilm formation were confirmed by Bacillus species bacteria