Screening and Isolation of Bacteria Producing Biosurfactants from Waste

Abstract

Biosurfactant are surface active compounds (SAC), amphiphilic in nature consisting of hydrophobic (long chain fatty acids) and hydrophilic domain (amino acid, protein, carbohydrate). Classification of this compound is based on molecular weight, mode of action and physico-chemical structure. Biosurfactant are being utilized in laundry formulation, house hold cleaning products, as antimicrobial agents, in detergents, pesticides, food and pharmaceutical industries. Various type of microorganism has been studied capable of synthesizing wide range biosurfactant by utilizing hydrocarbon compounds as source of carbon and energy. Present study aims to isolate biosurfactant producing bacteria from different waste sources. In this study among twenty-one isolated microbial cultures from different waste samples were screened for biosurfactant production using methods like hemolytic activity, blue gar assay, hydrocarbon tolerance assay, oil spread test, Emulsification index (E24%).