BIOSURFACTANTS PRODUCING CITROBACTER SPECIES ISOLATED FROM MARINE SOURCE AND THEIR POTENTIALS IN THE BIODEGRADATION OF PETROLEUM HYDROCARBON

Biosurfactants are surface-active compounds that enhance the solubility and breakdown of hydrophobic pollutants like petroleum hydrocarbons This study investigate the isolation and characterization of Biosurfactant-producing Citrobacter species Isolated from a marine source and evaluate their potential in the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons. The isolated Citrobacter strains were screened for their ability to produce biosurfactants. This study examines the abundance and composition of bacterial populations in water samples, focusing on Total heterotrophic bacteria, Total hydrocarbon degraders, and Total Enterobacteriaceae Bacteria. The investigation revealed substantial population of these bacteria types. Total Heterotrophic bacteria at 4.7 x106 CFU/ml, Total hydrocarbon degraders at 2.3x104, and Total Enterobacteriaceae at 3.5 x107. This finding shows the metabolic diversity of bacteria capable of hydrocarbon degradation within aquatic environments The findings indicate that the marine-derived Citrobacter species possess significant biosurfactant production capabilities, which facilitate the emulsification and subsequent biodegradation of complex hydrocarbon molecules. This biodegradation potential was assessed to evaluate the adaptability of Citrobacter to the challenging marine environment. The study underscores the importance of Citrobacter as a promising candidate for bioremediation, particularly in the cleanup of oil spills and other hydrocarbon contaminations in marine ecosystems. The results suggest that the biosurfactants produced by Citrobacter not only enhance hydrocarbon degradation but also contribute to the overall resilience of the microbial community in polluted environments. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the use of marine microorganisms in environmental biotechnology, with implications for sustainable approaches to managing marine pollution. Further studies are recommended to optimize conditions for large-scale applications and to explore the potential for genetic enhancement of these strains.