Biosurfactant Producing Bacteria from Groundnut Oil Cake and its Application in Pesticide Removal

A member of the class of organophosphate pesticides that are commonly used in agricultural activities worldwide is ethion, also known by its chemical name, phosphorodithioate, or O, O, O’, O’-tetraethyl S, S’-methylene bis. Its broad-spectrum insecticidal properties make it indispensable for controlling various pests in crops such as fruits, vegetables, and cereals. However, the indiscriminate use of ethion raises concerns due to its toxicity to non-target organisms, persistence in the environment, and potential adverse effects on human health. It was studied how bacteria that produce biosurfactants and were isolated from groundnut oil cake broke down ethion aerobically. In comparison to the FCO limitations of 5.77, 1.05, and 2.43 for Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, the chemical analysis of groundnut oil cake revealed greater levels of these elements. Based on nutritional analysis, groundnut cake has low fiber content but high levels of carbohydrates (34.3%), moisture, starch, and proteins (5.33%, 16.7% and 36.12%, respectively), fat (13.67%), and ash (5.42%). The results of biosurfactant production screening showed that 17 isolates were positive for haemolytic activity, 11 were positive for Drop collapsed test and 2 isolates B. niabensis (B) and B. endophyticus (C) showed highest emulsification index 80% and 82% respectively. These two isolates B. niabensis and B. endophyticus were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing method. Both of them were found to produce glycolipid and lipopeptide after FTIR analysis. GC-MS analysis of degradation study showed significant degradation of ethion. The findings have consequences for how a bioremediation approach should be developed.