Isolation and
Screening of Biosurfactant producing Bacteria, their characterization and their
potential applications
Mundrikeri Deepak, Sanjana G., Sebastian Priyanka Mary and Bhaskara Rao K.V.
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(1); 105-114;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/201rjbt1050114; (2025)
Abstract
Biosurfactants, are amphiphilic substances generated on the cell membrane that have
a tendency to lower surface tension, to lower the toxicity and to increase the biodegradability.
This study focused on isolation, screening and identification of biosurfactant producing
bacteria, their extraction and potential applications in enhancing plant growth
and their antimicrobial activity. The bacteria were isolated from the soil polluted
with old motor oil. The ability to produce biosurfactants was examined using series
of tests including the emulsification index test, drop collapse assay, blood hemolysis,
oil spread assay and microplate assay. The effective isolate was identified as Pseudomonas
citronellolis by 16s rRNA sequencing. Further the extraction and characterization
of rhamnolipid were carried out.
The characterization report from FTIR matches with the functional groups of rhamnolipid.
Thus, the extracted rhamnolipid were explored for exhibiting their interest towards
various biotechnological approaches. The antimicrobial activity of the extract was
assessed against the selected pathogens and their applications in the plant growth
showing enhanced growth compared to the control. This study can be further used
to formulate rhamnolipid in large scale as plant growth promoter and oil cleanser
in the future.
