Delving of a Promising Bioemulsifier Producing Bacterium from an Oil Contaminated Coastal Site and its Enhanced Production

Devaraj Dharmadevi¹, Punamalai Ganes¹ and Kandasamy Sivasubramani^1*

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, Chidambaram - 608002, Tamil Nadu, India

Corresponding author E-mail address: sivasubramanik@gmail.com

DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.13005/bbra/3024

ABSTRACT: Chemical surfactants are non-biodegradable and harmful, thus researchers are looking for better alternatives. The present study aimed to isolate bioemulsifier producing bacteria from oil-contaminated sediments. Nearly, 19 morphologically distinct bacteria were isolated and screened for bioemulsifier producing potential. Based on the screening, one efficient isolate PHCS 7 was selected and further subjected to molecular identification. After characterization, the isolate was identified as Acinetobacter beijerinckii PHCS 7 and further employed for growth kinetic profiling and optimization of physical factors for bioemulsifier production. During 48hrs incubation, A. beijerinckii PHCS 7 showed 64.6% emulsification activity with 8.69g/L of cell biomass. Similarly, during the optimization study pH, 8 and temperature of 35°C favored 67.9% and 69.7% emulsification activity, respectively. The current research establishes a foundation for future research on cost-effective large-scale production.

KEYWORDS: Bioemulsifier; Growth kinetics profile; Oil-contaminated coast; Marine Acinetobacter beijerinckii; Optimization

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