High gelatinase activity of a newly isolated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degrading bacteria Bacillus weihenstephanensis strain AN1

A new bacterial strain was isolated from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) contaminated soil, near an oil refinery, West Bengal, India. The strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequences. It was found to be capable of mineralizing some toxic PAHs like benzo[a]pyrene, anthracene, fluoranthene and pyrene. It was able to produce some commercially important biochemicals including biosurfactant. High gelatinase activity was associated with this PAH degrading Bacillus species.