Vol. 7, Issue 12 (2018)

Author(s):
Thenmozhi M, Mani P and Boominathan M

Abstract:
This study investigated the screening of potential biosurfactant producing estuarine yeast from mangrove sediment samples of Vellar estuary, Porto Novo, Tamil Nadu, India using a panel of biosurfactant screening methods viz, hemolytic activity, oil displacement test, BATH assay and emulsification index. There were 97 morphologically distinct estuarine yeasts were isolated from the sampling source using 50% aged sea water prepared yeast malt medium and were screened for biosurfactant production. Among the isolates, only four strains showed potentiality in all the four screening methods. They were identified using 18S rRNA molecular sequencing method as Saccharomyces cerevisiae VEMS 13, Candida tropicalis VEMS 27, Starmerella bombicola VEMS 39 and Yarrowia lipolytica VEMS 51 which were submitted to NCBS gene bank with the accession numbers, MH822527, KT449837, MH820124 and MH822919, respectively. This study proved that the sampling site, estuarine mangrove sediments provides a good source for the isolation of potential biosurfactant producing yeasts using the adopted multiple screening methods for more extensive study on biosurfactants in future.