Potential application of biosurfactant from marine bacteria in bioremediation

Abstract

Mohanty M, Das S. 2018. Potential application of biosurfactant from marine bacteria in bioremediation. Ocean Life 2: 59- 72. Marine bacteria were screened for their potential ability to produce biosurfactants which can effectively reduce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as the only carbon and energy source. Having many toxic effects, the PAHs are very harmful to flora and fauna as well as affecting humankind adversely. This work aimed at investigating the potential applications of biosurfactant in aerobic degradation of PAHs under stress conditions. The antimicrobial and anti-adhesive capacity of the biosurfactant were also tested against different pathogenic species. Marine bacteria were collected from sediment samples of Paradip Port, Visakhapatnam Port, Rishikulya, Bhitarakanika and screened for their biosurfactant production. Its growth was optimized in carbon and nitrogen sources for maximum biosurfactant production. Naphthalene and PAHs degrading isolates were evaluated for their biodegradative potential through UV-Vis spectroscopy and phenotypical characterization by SEM studies. Five candidate isolates, identified to be Ochrobactrum, Streptococcus, Pseudomonas sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Achromobacter xylosoxidans showing 99.9%, 99.6%, 99%, 99.3%, 98.6% of Phenanthrene degradation (100mg/L) and 99%, 99.1%, 89.75%, 94.01%, 97.02% of Naphthalene degradation (100 mg/L), respectively.