SCREENING AND EXTRACTION OF BIOSURFACTANT PRODUCING BACTERIA FROM OIL CONTAMINATED SOILS

Biosurfactants produced by bacteria are surface active compounds involved in the degradation of hydrocarbons. They are heterogeneous group of surface active molecules produced by microorganisms, which adhere to the cell surface or are excreted extra cellularly in the growth medium. The biosurfactants producing microbes are helpful in bioremediation of heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbon contaminated sites. They are also used as bio control agent to protect plant against various diseases, resulting in higher crop yields. The present study was aimed to isolate potential biosurfactants producing bacteria from five different oil contaminated sites and tested for biosurfactant production using different techniques includes oil spreading test, emulsification test, haemolysis test and drop collapse assay.