Production of biosurfactant and bioemulsifying agents from an oil-degrading Bacillus isolated from oil polluted coastal sediments

MORÁN, AC; N. OLIVERA; FERRERO, M; F. SIÑERIZ

Florianópolis

Congreso; LABS 3 Biodegradation & Biodeterioration in Latin America.; 1998

LABS

An oil-degrading biosurfactant and bioemulsifier-producing microorganismo was isolated from oil polluted sediments in San Antonio Oeste Harbor (Río Negro, Argentina), during screening for oil-degrading microorganisms. The isolate, wich belonged to the genus Bacillus, was able to grow on a minimal mineral medium, supplemented with ship bilge wastes as carbon adn energy source, and produced hemolysis on blood agar plates. After 48 h growth on ship bilge wastes or hexadecane, the surface tension of the supernatant was 47 dynes/cm and the emulsification index (E24) was negligible. However, higher of the supernatant and emulsifying activities were found when the microorganism was cultured on sucrose; the surface tension of the supernatant was 28 dyn/cm and the emulsification index was 60-75%.