Production and Characterization of Biosurfactants from Abattoir

Five genera of bacteria were isolated from abattoir waste water and identified as Bacillus licheniforms, Bacillus alvei, Pseudomonas paucimobilis, Vibrio metschnikovii and Yersinia enterocolitica. The isolates were screened for biosurfactant production using blood haemolysis test, emulsification test, oil spreading methods. The biosurfactants were characterized using GC-MS analysis. The isolates showed haemolytic activity and the highest emulsification index of 71 % was observed from Pseudomonas paucimobilis followed by Bacillus alvei with emulsification index of 67 % whereas Bacillus licheniformis has the lowest emulsification index of 11%. Also Bacillus alvei showed a high oil displacement of 20mm followed by Bacillus licheniformis with 18ml oil displacement whereas Pseudomonas paucimobilis has the lowest oil displacement of 15mm. The biosurfactant could be employed to enhance oil recovery bioremediation