Biosurfactant Production by Rhizospheric Bacteria Isolated from Biochar Amended Soil Using Different Extraction Solvents

Main Article Content

Seun O. Adebajo
Aderonke K. Akintokun
Abidemi E. Ojo
Dami M. Egbagbe
Pius O. Akintokun
Lawrence O. Adebajo

Abstract

Microbial-derived surface-active compounds (biosurfactants) have attracted attention due to their low toxicity, cost-effectiveness, biodegradable nature and environment compatibility. Due to paucity of knowledge in the production of biosurfactant by microorganisms from other sources such as biochar-amended soil, the present study investigates the potential of rhizospheric bacteria isolated from biochar amended soil of okra plant in the production of biosurfactants using different recovery techniques. Rhizospheric bacteria were screened for biosurfactant production using Haemolytic, Oil spreading, Drop collapse, Methylene blue method, Bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbon and Emulsification activity. The biosurfactant was extracted using different extraction solvents (acid precipitation, ethyl acetate, acetone, dichloromethane and chloroform/methanol). Degradation of hydrocarbon (diesel) was determined spectrophotometrically. A total of twenty-three rhizospheric bacteria were isolated from the soil of Abelmoschus esculentus (okra plant).  Nine isolates were positive for haemolysis with values between 1.1±0.2 mm by Enterobacter cloaca and 23.0±0.6 mm by Alcaligenes faecalis. Two isolates were positive for the drop collapse test. Only one isolate was positive for the methylene blue method. In the oil spreading test, ten isolates were positive and five isolates had the ability to adhere to hydrocarbons. Six isolates exhibited emulsification potential after 24 h, with the highest and lowest (65.9%) and (40.7%) recorded by Alcaligenes faecalis and Citrobacter sp, respectively. The biosurfactant produced by Alcaligenes faecalis using different recovery solvents showed that chloroform and methanol are the best extraction solvents and Alcaligenes faecalis was also able to degrade diesel oil over a period of 10 d. Conclusively, Alcaligenes faecalis recovered from soil amended sawdust biochar of okra plant is both a potent biosurfactant producer and an agent for remediating hydrocarbon-contaminated soil environments.

Article Details

How to Cite
Adebajo, S. O., Akintokun, A. K., Ojo, A. E., Egbagbe, D. M., Akintokun, P. O., & Adebajo, L. O. (2019). Biosurfactant Production by Rhizospheric Bacteria Isolated from Biochar Amended Soil Using Different Extraction Solvents. Applied Environmental Research, 41(3), 72–82. https://doi.org/10.35762/AER.2019.41.3.6
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Original Article
Author Biographies

Seun O. Adebajo, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

First Name: Seun

Middle Name: Owolabi

Last Name: Adebajo

Aderonke K. Akintokun, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

First Name: Aderonke

Middle Name: Kofoworola

Last Name: Akintokun

Abidemi E. Ojo, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

First Name: Abidemi

Middle Name: Esther

Last Name: Ojo

Dami M. Egbagbe, Microbiology Department, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

First Name: Dami

Middle Name: Mayowa

Last Name: Egbagbe

Pius O. Akintokun, Department of Plant Physiology and Crop Production, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

First Name: Pius

Middle Name: O.

Last Name: Akintokun

Lawrence O. Adebajo, Department of Microbiology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

First Name: Lawrence

Middle Name: O.

Last Name: Adebajo