Abstract
The present study is an attempt to optimize production of biosurfactant and protease simultaneously from bacterial isolates of the oil-contaminated region of Karachi coastal area. Bacterially produced biosurfactant and proteases well known for many applications in various industries and due to their environmentally friendly nature. Their production cost, however, remains high because of the high cost of culture media and low yield that is why only a few microbial sources recognized as commercial producers for biosurfactant and protease. For the present study, bacterial isolates selected for rhamnolipid production followed by screening for protease activity. Total 24 isolates selected for biosurfactant production through oil spreading, hemolytic activity, CTAB agar plate, drop collapse test, BATH assay, and emulsification activity (E24). Skim milk agar plate used for screening of protease producing isolates by producing clear zone. As a cheap source for the production of biosurfactants, the apple pomace successfully used in culture media. This study accomplishes that these isolates have the ability to produce commercially important biosurfactants and proteases respectively. It also suggested that apple pomace is a cost-effective substrate for the production of commercially important biomolecules.
