Production and characterization of biosurfactant from bacterial species isolated from oil contaminated soil

Biosurfactants are surface active substance synthesized by living cells. Micro-organisms that degrade hydrocarbon were isolated and screened for their activity. A total of 20 samples of oil contaminated soil were collected and three organisms were isolated and tested with tests like detection of glycolipid, surface tension measurement, emulsification index, heavy metal, antagonistic test, hemolysis, drop collapsing test, and thin layer chromatography for the degradation activity. The three organism’s viz. Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas fluorescens degraded the oil in soil.