title: Enhanced hydrocarbon biodegradation by a newly isolated Bacillus subtilis strain.
abstract: The relation between hydrocarbon degradation and biosurfactant (rhamnolipid) production by a new Bacillus subtilis 22BN strain was investigated. The strain was isolated for its capacity to utilize n-hexadecane and naphthalene and at the same time to produce surface-active compound at high concentrations (1.5 - 2.0 g l(-1)). Biosurfactant production was detected by surface tension lowering and emulsifying activity. The strain is a good degrader of both hydrocarbons used with degradability of 98.3 +/- 1% and 75 +/- 2% for n-hexadecane and naphthalene, respectively. Measurement of cell hydrophobicity showed that the combination of slightly soluble substrate and rhamnolipid developed higher hydrophobicity correlated with increased utilization of both hydrocarbon substrates. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Bacillus subtilis strain that degrades hydrophobic compounds and at the same time produces rhamnolipid biosurfactant.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microbiology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev str, bl 26, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria. nhrist@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Nelly
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Christova
authors.forename: Borjana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tuleva
authors.forename: Boryana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nikolova-Damyanova
mesh_terms: D000473:Alkanes / Q000378:metabolism; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004655:Emulsions; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000378:metabolism; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D014871:Water Microbiology
chemical_list: D000473:Alkanes; D004655:Emulsions; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D009281:Naphthalenes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C031721:naphthalene; C007932:n-hexadecane