ABSTRACT
Background: Biosurfactants are unique amphipathic molecules with extensive application in removing organic and metal contaminants. The purpose of this study was to isolate the biosurfactant-producing bacteria and characterize the surface-active properties of the metabolites produced
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in three Caspian Sea coastal regions in Babolsar during 2007-8. In primary screening, hemolytic and emulsifying activities were performed on blood agar plates and in culture medium, respectively and then the reduction in the surface tension, as a biosurfactant-producing index, was determined quantitatively by captive drop cell instrument. The isolated strain was also investigated for its ability to use different hydrocarbon pollutants using the surface tension measurement
Results: One out of 10 different strains exhibited high ability to produce biosurfactant. This strain called Caspian petroleum A1 [CPA1]. Biochemical tests showed that CPA1 classified in aerobic gram-negative cocci, neisseriaceae family and acinetobacter genus. CPA1 utilized crude oil and gasoline, as carbon and energy sources, to reduce the surface tension of culture medium from 71 to 42 and 39 mN/m
Conclusion: CPA1, as a biosurfactant-producer, was isolated and identified based on potential for biodegradation of hydrocarbon pollutants [e.g. crude oil, gasoline, anthracen and naphthalene]
ABSTRACT
Wolbachia is an obligatory, intracellular alpha-proteobacterium which infect the reproductive and somatic tissues of some arthropod and nematode populations. Because there are not any available data on the presence of this bacterium in Iran, the present study was done to determine the presence of this bacterium among 30 species of arthropods and nematodes. After DNA extraction from samples, we screened Wolbachia spp. with specific primers using PCR method. A total of 770 arthropods [of 22 genera] and 41 nematodes [of 6 genera] were screened for Wolbachia. Overall 167 arthropod samples [18 colonies] from 7 genera and 1 nematode sample were found positive. Positive PCR products of 16S rDNA gene were digested with RsaI restriction enzyme and the types of Wolbachia were recognized as A supergroup of Wolbachia