Isolation of Biosurfactant-Producing Bacteria from Crude Oil and Soil

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