PRODUCTION OF LIPASE BY IMMOBILIZED BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS AND LYSINIBACILLUS SPHAERICUS AND THEIR BIODEGRADATION POTENTIAL ON DIESEL

Abstract

This study reported production of lipase by immobilized Bacillus thuringiensis. Bacteria isolates were screened on Bushnell-Hass Mineral Salt medium containing 1% v/v Diesel for oil degradation. The potent isolates were identified using 16S rRNA as Bacillus thuringiensis. The isolates were immobilized in gelatin matrix and cultured for lipase production in a submerged medium. The crude lipase extracted was used for degradation of Diesel. Optimum degradation of Diesel 41.4% was obtained by lipase from Immobilized Bacillus thuringiensis and 31.6% for Lysinibacillus sphaericus at pH 7 and 35 in 20 days. GC-MS analysis was carried out to show the compounds degraded after 20 days. This study therefore presented the use of immobilized bacterial lipase in degradation of Diesel as a simple and effective approach.