Production and structural characterization of biosurfactant produced by newly isolated staphylococcus xylosus STF1 from petroleum contaminated soil

• A novel biosurfactant producing bacterium, designated as Staphylococcus xylosus STF1.
• The isolated bacterium was first screened for the ability to produce biosurfactant.
• FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy suggested the biosurfactant to be lipopeptide.
• Produced biosurfactant could be useful in a variety of biotechnological and industrial processes.

Petroleum-contaminated soil was used to isolate and characterize biosurfactant producing bacteria. The strain could produce higher amount of biosurfactant in medium supplemented with motor oil as sole source of carbon and energy. A new biosurfactant producing bacterium, designated as Staphylococcus xylosus STF1 based on morphological, physiological, biochemical tests and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolated bacterium was first screened for the ability to produce biosurfactant. Partial sequence of STF1 strain of 16S rDNA gene was highly similar to those of various members of the family Staphylococcaceae. Biochemical characterizations including FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy and Mass spectroscopy studies suggested the biosurfactant to be lipopeptide. Study also confirmed that the cell free supernatant exhibited high emulsifying activity against the different hydrocarbons. Moreover, the partially purified biosurfactant exhibited antimicrobial activity by inhibiting the growth of several bacterial species. The strain could be a potential candidate for the production of polypeptide biosurfactant which could be useful in a variety of biotechnological and industrial processes, particularly in the food and oil industry.