Isolation Of Biosurfactanct Producer Bacteria From Oily Waste Water

This study was aimed to isolate biosurfactant producing bacteria from oily waste water. The water sample was collected from water contaminated with oil from car workshop which is located at Bachok, Kelantan. Biosurfactant is a structurally diversed group of surface-active molecule which is synthesized by microorganisms. The properties of biosurfactant which are ecofriendly, non-toxic and biodegradable have made them extensively used in the industries. Thus, due to their high cost of production, this research was aimed to isolate and screened for the potential biosurfactant producing organisms from water sample which is much low in cost. A total of nine isolates were selected from Mineral Salt Agar (MSA). Then, the isolates had undergone screening test such as haemolytic test, drop collapse test and emulsification test. In haemolytic test, four isolates showed beta-haemolysis, two isolates showed alpha-haemolysis and three isolates showed gamma-haemolysis. Beta-haemolysis showed possibility to get biosurfactant producing bacteria. Then, the isolates were test with drop collapse test. In drop collapse test, a total seven isolates showed positive result. For emulsification test, the highest emulsification activity were from isolates 10(5)1. After that, the morphological characteristic of the isolates were carried out by using Gram-staining and streaking on Nutrient Agar (NA). From Gram-staining, six isolates showed Gram positive bacteria while the remaining three isolates were Gram negative bacteria. Lastly, the three isolates were chosen based on their positive result for further descript their DNA sequence. Based on the result, the isolates from oily waste water can potentially be used to enhance bioremediation of oil contamination and enhanced oil recovery. In conclusion, biosurfactant producing bacteria appeared to be found in water sample which have been exposed with oily waste from car workshop.