Pradnya A. Joshi and Dhiraj B. Shekhawat
Biosurfactant reduces the surface tension of both aqueous solutions and hydrocarbon mixtures. In this study, isolation and identification of biosurfactant producing strain were assessed. Soil samples from petrol pumps in Kalyan and Dombivli area was collected and 36 strains were isolated. Emulsification assay, E24 test and surface tension measurement tests were performed to confirm the ability of isolates to produce biosurfactant, Among water soluble and insoluble carbon source sodium acetate and diesel were found to be the best substrate for production of biosurfactant. Ammonium nitrate supported as best nitrogen source. The TLC analysis revealed that isolate no. 10 (Bacillus sp) biosurfactant component was lipoprotein in nature. The biosurfactant efficiently emulsified hydrocarbons like kerosene, petrol, hexadecane and diesel. This ability of the isolate can be utilized for cleaning up of hydrocarbon contaminated sites
