Molecular Analytics of Biosurfactant Producing Bacteria Isolated from Soil
TL;DR
The structures of biosurfactants produced by bacteria isolated from soil and their potential in degrading petrol and oil are characterized and three strains demonstrated significant oil degradation capacity.
Abstract
Biosurfactant products show significant potential compared to chemical surfactants due to their biodegradability, low toxicity, and eco-friendliness. This study aims to characterize the structures of biosurfactants produced by bacteria isolated from soil and to evaluate their potential in degrading petrol and oil. Biosurfactant-producing strains were selected using oil spreading tests, screening for petrol-degrading bacteria, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and PCR-based phylogenetic analysis. In total, 5852 colonies and strains of biosurfactant producers were isolated through cultural and molecular methods. These bacteria were classified into three species: Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. After biodegradation, the effects of petrol and olive oil, combined with cell-free supernatant, were analyzed, showing an efficient removal rate of 79.59% after 24 hours. Among the bacterial isolates, three strains demonstrated significant oil degradation capacity: Bacillus sp. With a degradation rate of 79.59%, Pseudomonas sp. At 77.55%, and Staphylococcus sp. At 67.3%. In conclusion, biosurfactant-producing bacteria were isolated from soil samples collected at the Center for Bioscience and Nanoscience Research Laboratory through screening and isolation efforts.