Molecular characterization, structure prediction and insilico analysis of hydrocarbon degrading surfactin synthetase from marine sponge-associated Bacillus licheniformis NIOT-06

• Novel hydrocarbon utilizing Bacillus licheniformis NIOT-06 from marine sponge
• Molecular expression of surfactin synthetase gene (srfA) in E. coli M15
• Secondary and tertiary structures have substantial similarity with database reports

An open reading frame encoding the surfactin synthetase gene (srfA) was cloned from the Bacillus licheniformis NIOT-06 genome. An expression plasmid containing the srfA operon was introduced into Escherichia coli M15 cells and the recombinant biosurfactant was purified and quantified. Purified recombinant surfactin revealed excellent emulsification activity. HPLC fraction of the purified recombinant surfactin revealed significant surface tension reducing property. Secondary structure of the surfactin synthetase enzyme was predicted to have alpha-helical structure. Three dimensional structure model of surfactin synthase was found to be 0.243 Å units.