Screening of bioemulsifier-producing micro-organisms isolated from oil-contaminated sites

Eighty-eight micro-organisms were isolated from oil-contaminated soils and checked for their extracellular bioemulsifier producing potential. The micro-organisms were screened on the basis of oil spread, drop collapse and emulsification index. Most efficient strains were characterized as Lysinibacillus sp. SP1025 and Bacillus cereus SP1035. In Lysinibacillus sp. SP1025, the E-24 index, surface tension and production of crude bioemulsifier were found to be 83.3 % with diesel, 34.20?±?0.03 mN/m and 3.07?±?0.62 g/L, respectively, whereas in the case of Bacillus cereus SP1035, the E-24 index, surface tension and production of crude bioemulsifier recorded were 76.5 % with diesel, 43.42?±?0.03 mN/m and 3.90?±?0.3 g/L. Crude biomemulsifier produced by selected micro-organisms was stable, withstanding a wide temperature and pH range with an E-24 Index value greater than 50 %. All emulsions formed were oil-in-water type. Emulsions formed with tested aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, except those formed with ester based oils, were 100 % stable with the entire organic layer converted into emulsion. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report for bioemulsifier production from the genus Lysinibacillus.