ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Biosurfactant Production by a Newly Isolated
Enterobacter cloacae B14 Capable of Utilizing
Spent Engine Oil
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Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Submission date: 2018-03-02
Final revision date: 2018-05-30
Acceptance date: 2018-06-10
Online publication date: 2019-03-04
Publication date: 2019-04-09
Corresponding author
Jindarat Ekprasert
Khon Kaen university, 123 Mitraparp Road, Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, Khon Kaen University, 40002 Khon Kaen, Thailand
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2019;28(4):2603-2610
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ABSTRACT
This work aims to investigate biosurfactant production by a bacterium capable of utilizing spent
engine oil. The effects of pH and temperature on the growth of this bacterium on spent engine oil
were determined. The bacterium was isolated from petroleum-contaminated soil. Based on 16S rRNA
gene sequence, it was identified as Enterobacter cloacae with 99% identity. Growth of Enterobacter
cloacae B14 on mineral medium containing 1% (v/v) spent engine oil was optimum when incubated
at 30oC. The bacterium showed the ability to grow under a wide range of pH medium, whereas
the highest specific growth rate (0.29 hr-1) was obtained when grown under pH 7. Biosurfactant
production by E. cloacae B14 was observed when grown in mineral medium containing 1% (w/v)
glucose. Cell-free supernatant showed 42.2% emulsification activity (E24) against spent engine oil. Such
activity was higher than some previous works and was obtained from a lower amount of biomass. Positive
results from oil displacement, drop collapse and CTAB-methylene blue agar tests strongly indicated that
strain B14 is an effective biosurfactant producer. Therefore, Enterobacter cloacae B14 has the potential
for applications in bioremediation of oil-contaminated sites due to its biosurfactant production and
growth on spent engine oil.