Abstract:
This study was conducted to isolate biosurfactant producing bacteria. Samples of
crude oil and soil contaminated with hydrocarbons were collected from oil wells in
Paleela Oil Field, South Kordufan, and from Adar, Northern Upper Nile state. Seven
strains were isolated. These showed rich growth on nutrient agar medium. The
isolated strains were identified by morphological feature and biochemical tests. The
isolates were found belong to different genera of bacteria including: Bacillus,
Pseudomonas and micrococcus. Only two strains named Bacillus subtilisand
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, produced biosurfactant. To confirm the ability of isolates in
biosurfactant production, haemolysis test, emulsification test, oil displacement test
and drop collapsing test were conducted. These findings indicate that the biosurfactant
produced by the isolates could be useful for bioremediation application. Further
studies are needed to validate the result of the present study