Isolation and Screening of Biosurfactant-producing Bacteria from Hydrocarbon-contaminated Soil in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

Biosurfactants are surface-active biomolecules produced by microorganisms that have different applications in solving many environmental problems. This study was carried out to screen biosurfactant-producing bacteria isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil of Kano Metropolis, State- Nigeria. Soil samples were collected and processed. Biosurfactant-producing enumerated, characterized using cultural, morphological biochemical characteristics. Blood haemolysis, oil drop collapse displacement tests employed for the screening bacterial isolates potential produce biosurfactant. The viable aerobic heterotrophic count ranges 1.0 8.4×106 cfu/g. Eight genera biochemically identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter cloacae, Pantoea agglomerans, sp., Bacillus subtilis, alvei, sp. Klebsiella subtilis had highest frequency occurrence 5(27%) while alvei least occurrences 1(6%) each. eight all positive haemolysis test, test.