Microbial Cleanup Crew: Isolation and Characterization of Lipase-Producing Bacteria from Petrol Station Soil

Lipases are enzymes with significant roles in everyday applications, ranging from the dairy industry
to detergent manufacturing. In this study, we investigated the lipolytic activity of bacterial strains isolated
from oil-contaminated soils collected from petrol stations, aiming to identify the strain with the highest
lipase production potential. Out of 50 isolated bacterial strains, 10 were screened for lipase activity using a
chromogenic medium, resulting in the identification of positive lipase producers, evident by clear zones on
the media. Among these, three potent strains—Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., and Staphylococcus sp.—
were identified using Bergey's Manual. These strains were further analysed for qualitative and quantitative
lipase production using various substrates. Pseudomonas sp. demonstrated the highest efficiency in oil stain
removal from fabric, indicating its potential application in the detergent industry for effective oil stain
removal.