Effect of biosurfactant on thiocyanate degradation by automobile service station soil isolates Brachybacterium sp. and Bacillus albus

Abstract

AbstractThis study investigated the effect of biosurfactants on the microbial degradation of thiocyanate (SCN−), with the aim of finding a sustainable solution for the treatment of industrial wastes containing thiocyanate and related compounds. Isolates VK8 and VT7, screened from amongst 40 automobile service station soil isolates, showed promising growth in the presence of high thiocyanate concentration (500 mg/L). Biosurfactant BS1-S1W from isolate S1W (Brucella intermedia) enhanced the degradation of SCN− by Brachybacterium sp. (VT7) and Bacillus albus (VK8) by 92% and 95%, respectively, at 200 mg/L. Biosurfactant BS2-VO6 from isolate VO6-2 (Brevundimonas naejangsanensis) caused increment in the reduction of SCN- by 88% and 80%, respectively. FTIR and LC-MS analysis of the purified biosurfactants confirmed their glycolipid nature. Enhanced effect of biosurfactant was more pronounced at higher KSCN concentration. Little is known about the effects of microbial products on the enhancement of microbial biodegradation of SCN−. Production and application of biosurfactant from B. naejangsanensis has not been reported earlier and hence can lead to more effective biological agents of enhanced biomedical and environmental relevance. This is the first report of the application of Brachybacterium and B. albus for thiocyanate degradation and the effect of biosurfactant on the same.Keywords: Automobile service stationBacillusbiodegradationbiosurfactantBrachybacteriumBrevundimonasrhamnolipidthiocyanate Author contributionsPS conceptualized the work, devised methodology, analyzed and curated the data and prepared the original draft; YP contributed to conceptualization of work, verification of data and editing of the prepared manuscript; VK, NK and OP performed all the experiments and involved in draft writing and statistical analysis; All the authors were involved in final reviewing and editing of the manuscript.AcknowledgementsThe authors thank Director, Symbiosis School of Biological Sciences, and the Registrar, Symbiosis International (Deemed University) for their support.Disclosure statementThe authors report that there are no competing interests to declare.Data availability StatementThe data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, [PS], upon reasonable request.Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India under Grant number SR/WOS-B/134/2016.