Enhanced microbial degradation of pyrene using biosurfactant isolated from Bacillus sp. SS105

Abstract

The present research work highlights the biosurfactant application toward enhanced pyrene degradation by Pseudomonas sp. Lipopeptide-type biosurfactant was produced from Free Air CO₂ Enriched (FACE) soil bacterium Bacillus sp. SS105. The different concentrations of biosurfactant at different time intervals were optimized for maximum pyrene degradation and quantified through analytical methods such as the scanning process of UV–Vis spectrophotometer and GC–MS analysis. In the absence of biosurfactant, Pseudomonas sp. could degrade only 8% of pyrene at the concentration of 5 mg per 100 ml, while the degradation rate enhanced by 95% in presence of biosurfactant (5 mg/100 ml of culture). This result demonstrated that biosurfactant produced from Bacillus sp. SS105 has potential to enhance the bioavailability and biodegradation of pyrene by Pseudomonas sp.

Funding

Science and Engineering Research Board,