BIOSURFACTANT PRODUCTION BY ENDOPHYTIC ISOLATES FROM RHIZOMES OF ZINGIBER ZERUMBETHARSHA K., SHALIMA M.V. AND ASWATI R. NAIRAbstract Biosurfactants (BS) or green surfactants are amphiphilic compounds that enhance the bioavailability of hydrophobic organic compounds and also exhibit anti-phytopathogenic properties. BS-producing isolates thus find applications in soil remediation and development of biocontrol agents. Endophytes that confer several benefits to host plant constitute a good resource for prospecting BS-producing isolates. The present study screened the Z. zerumbet endophytes identified in earlier studies for BS production by hydrocarbon overlay agar method, CTAB- Methylene blue agar assay and determining Emulsification Index (EI24). EI24 was observed as the most desirable parameter to determine BS production compared to hydrocarbon overlay agar and CTAB- methylene blue agar plate assay. Isolate ZzADK4 (Bacillus spp) showed highest emulsification activity (58%) determined as EI% with kerosene. UV-vis spectral scans identified the endophytes as producing LP class of BS with absorbance maxima spanning 207- 216 nm. LP class of BS-producing endophytic isolates identified in the present study constitute potential solutions with applications in soil remediation and the development of biocontrol agents (BCAs). |