Abstract
AbstractBiosurfactants are surface-active metabolites produced by microorganisms. Biosurfactants tend to solubilize hydrocarbons in the surrounding environment, by reducing surface tension and increasing carbon uptake. In this study, isolation of biosurfactant producing bacteria and effect of renewable, non-fossil fuel based carbon sources on production were assessed. Oil field produced water was collected from Potwar oil fields and thirteen strains were isolated. Strains were screened for biosurfactant production by hemolysis test, emulsification index test, emulsification assay, oil displacement test, drop collapse test, tilted glass slide test and oil coated agar emulsification test. Strains were further screened for maximum production on cost effective renewable carbon source e.g. glucose, waste glycerol and animal fat. Promising strains were identified as Bacillus subtilis (MH142143), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MH142144), Bacillus tequilensis (MH142145) and Bacillus safensis (MH142146) by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Among all isolates, highest biosurfactant production on glucose (37%), glycerol (48%) and animal fat oil (49%), after 24 h cultivation was by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Biosurfactant showed similarity to rhamnolipids by Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). Assessment of bioactive propertiaes of rhamnolipid showed strong antimicrobial activity against Bacillus spp. Future investigations can be focused on application of these strains in environmental as well as industrial sectors.
Highlights
Introduction from Potwar oil fields and thirteen strains were isolated.Strains were screened for biosurfactant production by hemo- Nowadays, use of petroleum and petroleum base lysis test, emulsification index test, emulsification assay, oil polymers has increased to an alarming degree
Strains were cultivated on Nutrient agar slants and genomic DNA was isolated by rapid DNA isolation method. 16S rRNA sequencing of promising strains was done by Sanger dideoxy sequencing [23]
Biosurfactant productions were conducted in 500 mL flasks of 300 mL Mineral salts media (MSM) supplemented with 2% carbon source
Summary
Strains were screened for biosurfactant production by hemo- Nowadays, use of petroleum and petroleum base lysis test, emulsification index test, emulsification assay, oil polymers has increased to an alarming degree. Two most common bacterial biosurfactants are rhamnolipids (produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and surfactins (produced by Bacillus subtilis) [10]. Most significant use of biosurfactants, to date, has been in petroleum and biodiesel industries pertaining to clearing oil spills, enhancing oil quality and removal of sludge from oil tanks, biosurfactants have multifarious applications in the field of environmental sciences These biosurfactants, due to their hydrocarbon degradation capability and biodegradative nature, have high potential for ecofriendly bioremediation of oil-contaminated sites, heavy metal pollution and pesticides, washing and cleaning of oil reservoirs etc.
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