COMPARISON OF METHODS AND SCREENING OF BIOSURFACTANT PRODUCING MARINE ACTINOBACTERIA ISOLATED FROM NICOBAR MARINE SEDIMENT

Biosurfactants are the surface-active molecules synthesized by microorganisms. The present study was focused on screening of biosurfactant producing novel marine actinobacteria. Total five methods were employed to test the biosurfactant production in 100 marine actinobacterial strains. The hemolytic activity of three marine actinobacteria were ranged from 8-20 mm, by the drop collapsing method and by the oil spreading method the results were ranged from 5-20 mm and 9-20 mm respectively. These three strains were also capable of degrading tributyrin. The emulsifying capacity of these strains was evaluated by the E24 emulsification index and it ranged from 5.0-75%. With the advantage of environmental compatibility, in future the biosurfactants from Streptomyces gedanensis may be useful as an alternate to the chemical surfactants. In conclusion, the strain Streptomyces gedanensis has been useful for the bioremediation of the seas polluted by crude oil.