title: Microbial surfactant activities from a petrochemical landfarm in a humid tropical region of Brazil.
abstract: The goal of this study was to assess the presence and surfactant potential of naturally occurring microbes from a tropical soil with petrochemical contamination. Microorganisms in a soil sample from a Brazilian landfarm were isolated and grown on petroleum as the sole carbon source. Of 60 isolates screened for petroleum-based growth, 7 demonstrated surfactant activities by the drop-collapse methodology over various types of oils. From their growth profiles in liquid culture during 132 h, all had their first detection of surfactant activity after 96 h. Little is currently known about biosurfactant-producing microorganisms in tropical environments contaminated by hydrophobic compounds, and the search for them is essential for bioremediation and for oil recovery enhanced by microbes. Our results indicate that different petroleum-grown microorganisms showing surfactant activity can be recovered from landfarm soil in a tropical environment.
authors: Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, UESC - Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Rod. BR 415, Km 16, Ilhéus-BA, 45650-000, Brazil.
authors: Bianca Mendes
authors: BM
authors: Maciel
authors: João Carlos Teixeira
authors: JC
authors: Dias
authors: Ana Cácia Freire
authors: AC
authors: Dos Santos
authors: Ronaldo Costa Argôlo
authors: RC
authors: Filho
authors: Renato
authors: R
authors: Fontana
authors: Leandro Lopes
authors: LL
authors: Loguercio
authors: Rachel Passos
authors: RP
authors: Rezende
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D001938:Brazil; D005658:Fungi / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D010578:Petroleum / Q000378:metabolism*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D013501:Surface-Active Agents