Role of nanotechnology for improving properties of biosurfactant from newly isolated bacterial strains from Rajasthan

Abstract

Biologically synthesized surfactant are commercially used in various biotechnology sectors as cosmetic, cleaning, and agriculture products. In this study, Bacillus paramycoides was isolated as new bacterial strain from plastic disposal site of Banasthali Vidyapith (Rajasthan) for producing lipopeptide biosurfactant. Surface tension, emulsification index, oil-displacement are some primary screening methods done to validate the production of biosurfactant. The emulsification analysis elucidated at 62.50% and reduction of surface tension noticed at 33.10 mN/m. The nano-encapsulation of this biosurfactant onto silver nanoparticles had efficiently improved its ability for biodegradation of polyethylene. UV sterilized polyethylene films were treated with biosurfactant mediated silver nanoparticles and its maximum degradation was observed within 70 days. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized by UV spectrum, zeta size potential, scanning electron microscope analysis. The total weight loss of low-density polyethylene (cling films) and high-density polyethylene (grocery bags) was observed 36.30% and 31.11%, respectively after treatment with silver nanoparticles for these lipopeptide biosurfactant. The higher degree of biodegradation rate of LDPE and HDPE polyethylene after treating with silver nano-biosurfactant might be due to their high degree of biocompatibility and stability. These nano-biosurfactant could be effectively used for biodegradation of plastic pollutant at large scale.