Profiling Culturable Filamentous Fungi Isolated from Cyperus polystachyos (Many-Spiked Flat sedge) Rhizosphere Soil for Biosurfactant Production

Abstract

The research examined culturable filamentous fungi from Cyperus polystachyos (many spiked flat sedge) plant rhizosphere soil for their potential as biosurfactant. Soil samples were collected from a crude oil contaminated site. Parameters investigated include: pH, electrical conductivity, nutrients and heavy metals concentrations, using standard soil analysis methods. Microorganisms were cultured on Potato Dextrose Agar using standard microbiology plate culture while the emulsification potential of the fungi was carried out for (28) days using the emulsification index E24. The genera identified are: Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Penicillium sp., and Fusarium sp. The soil tested was slightly acidic (5.65). The fungi recorded various mycelium growth diameters with Aspergillus sp. recording the highest mycelia 47 mm. The emulsification activity showed Penicillium sp. with an E24 index of 50% > Aspergillus sp. E24 index of 10% > Fusarium sp. 3.45 % while Cladosporium sp. demonstrated no emulsification activity. These findings revealed the potential of Penicillium sp. for biosurfactant production. It is recommended that the culture conditions of the identified microorganisms be optimized, also molecularly characterized biosurfactants producers, and scale up production to enhance their commercial feasibility.