Biosurfactant Production and Characterization by Bacillus altitudinis Strain LCDB-BP3 Isolated from Pesticide-Contaminated Soil in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

Microbial biosurfactants have gained attention as promising alternatives for bioremediation, particularly for pesticide-contaminated soils, due to their biodegradability and non-toxic nature. These biosurfactants also hold potential for various industrial applications, including food, petroleum, and fertilizer industries, and may serve therapeutic roles as adjuvants. However, there remains a need to produce biosurfactants using indigenous bacterial isolates to address environmental pollution sustainably. In this study, biosurfactant was produced using Bacillus altitudinis strain LCDB-BP3, identified as a Lambda Cyhalothrin-Degrading Bacterium (LCDB-BP3) in a previous research. The biosurfactant-producing ability of the isolate was confirmed by oil displacement (14.32 cm), emulsification activity (70%), and beta-hemolytic activity on blood agar. Stability tests revealed the biosurfactant's resilience across a wide range of temperatures (up to 105°C), pH (3–13), and salinity (3–7%), making it suitable for diverse environmental conditions. Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy further confirmed the presence of functional groups such as O-H, N-H, ester carbonyl, and C-H, supporting the lipopeptide nature of the biosurfactant. These findings highlight the potential of the biosurfactant produced by Bacillus altitudinis strain LCDB-BP3 for use in the bioremediation of pesticide-contaminated soils and offer a greener alternative to chemical agents in industrial settings.