Studies of Biosurfactant Producing Oil Contaminated Soil

Bioremedial use of microbes is becoming significant in combating pollution problems. These studies were initiated with the same approach to find microbial species capable to produce biosurfactant and make the oil-contaminated soil suitable for plant growth. Initially seven bacterial strains and two yeasts were screened with the outcome of most impressive potential in only one of them and it was identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa JCM5962 (T) by 16S rDNA technique. The organism shows production of rhamnolipid biosurfactant, as per FTIR report analysis, in the exponential growth phase but more in stationary phase. It can use sesame oil meals as cheap carbon source and beef extract as a nitrogen source. For production of biosurfactant C/N ratio is 60, i.e., stress on nitrogen contents is giving good results. It can grow in presence of 5% of oil contents which is significant as a bioremedial property. Critical mycelial concentration of rhamnolipid produced is 29mg/100ml and reducing surface tension to 27 Dynes/cm when production conditions provided are optimal.