Available online at www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.com Pelagia Research Library Advances in Applied Science Research, 2012, 3 (6):4030-4032 ISSN: 0976-8610 CODEN (USA): AASRFC 4030 Pelagia Research Library Potentials of Biosurfactant Producing Pseudomonas sp from automobile workshop C. Angaleswari, L. Suji and P. U. Mahalingam Department of Biology, Gandhigram Rural Institute- Deemed University, Gandhigram 624 302, Dindigul ______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT In the present study soil sample from automobile workshop located at Gandhigram, Dindigul, Tamil Nadu, India was collected, serially diluted and the dilutions 10 -5 and 10 -6 were plated on to nutrient agar plates. The predominant colony was selected, identified by Biochemical tests. Then the isolated culture was mass multiplied in mineral salt medium by adding carbon sources such as sunflower oil and whey individually for the production of biosurfactant compounds. The produced product was extracted by acetone precipitation method. After extraction it was analysed physically, chemically and the product thus extracted was identified as biosurfactant compounds Rhamnolipid. Further emulsification index of rhamnolipid was calculated by the ability of biosurfactant compound to emulsify carbon sources like diesel oil, petrol and kerosene. The study concludes that the biosurfactant compound produced by Peudomonas sp was rhamnolipid which is having a higher emulsifying index of 50 with both sunflower oil and whey as carbon sources. Key words: Biosurfactants, Peudomonas sp, Rhamnolipid , Emulsifying index. _________________________________________________________________________________________ INTRODUCTION Biosurfactants are amphiphilic compounds which are produced by bacteria, yeast and fungi. It has the ability to reduce the interfacial tension. They have the properties of emulsification, foaming, wetting, dispersing or solubilization (1). Rhamnolipids are class of glycolipids produced commercially by the P.aeruginosa, which has ability to produce both mono and di rhamnolipid. (2). Rhamnolipids has both hydrophilic end, which attracts water and a hydrophobic end, which repels water and attracts non polar chemicals. It can withstand a temperature upto and over boiling point of water. It contains rhamnose sugar. (3). MATERIALS AND METHODS Collection of sample and isolation of bacteria: The soil sample was collected from automobile workshop at Gandhigram and transported immediately to the laboratory. The soil sample was serially diluted and from which 10 -5 and 10 -6 were plated on nutrient agar plates and incubated at 37 ◦ C for 24 hrs. From the plates one predominant colony was selected for identification (4)