Authors : Abdulsalam Mala Yakubu; Adamu Tential Salihu; Umar Jiddum Jidda; Khadija Mustapha Hussaini; Muhammad Lawan Wasaram; Alhaji Bukar Baba Shehu

Volume/Issue : Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 12 - December

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/3sd3rw2x

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DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25dec448

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Abstract : Biosurfactants, which are surface-active molecules of microbial origin, are garnering significant attention as sustainable substitutes for synthetic surfactants. Their appeal lies in their inherent biocompatibility, environmental degradability, and stable performance across a range of physicochemical conditions. A primary impediment to their industrial adoption, however, is the substantial expense associated with fermentation feedstocks. The present investigation evaluates the efficacy of groundnut oil, a low-cost agricultural by-product, as an exclusive carbon substrate for the cost- effective microbial synthesis of biosurfactants. A consortium of a bacterial strains, isolated from hydrocarbon- contaminated soil, underwent primary screening for biosurfactant production. This screening employed a tripartite methodological approach: the oil-spreading technique, the drop-collapse assay, and the determination of the emulsification index (E24). Among the evaluated isolates, Micrococcus sp. strain LB11 demonstrated superior surface-activity traits, manifesting a 15 mm zone of oil\displacement and a rapid reduction in interfacial tension evidenced by a 45-second drop- collapse duration. While Alcaligenes faecalis (IS-7) displayed a considerable capacity for emulsion stabilization, Micrococcus sp. LB11 emerged as the most proficient candidate when propagated in a medium formulated with groundnut oil. Cultivation of Micrococcus sp. LB11 on this lipid substrate facilitated the generation of a biosurfactant achieving an E24 value of approximately 65% over a 24-hour incubation period. This quantitative measure of emulsion stability indicates the synthesis of a high-quality, robust biosurfactant. The magnitude of the emulsifying activity further suggests the production of a high-molecular-weight compound, potentially possessing a glycoproteinaceous character. These outcomes collectively validate groundnut oil as a proficient and economical substrate for augmenting biosurfactant yield. In summary, these findings position Micrococcus sp. LB11 as a highly promising isolate warranting in-depth biochemical analysis and scale-up exploration. The resultant biosurfactant holds considerable promise for deployment in environmentally pertinent applications, including but not limited to soil and water bioremediation, microbial-enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, and various green technological processes.

Keywords : Micrococcus sp. LB11, Groundnut Oil, Glycoprotein Biosurfactant, Biosurfactant Production, Sustainable Substrate, Emulsification Index (E24), Stable Emulsion Formation, Low-Cost Fermentation, Agro-Industrial Waste Valorization, Microbial Surface-Active Agents.

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