Metabolism and removal of anthracene and lead by a B. subtilis-produced biosurfactant

Most of effluents discharged to the environment contain toxic contaminants such as aromatic compounds and heavy metals which are considered hazardous to the nature and living organisms. In this study, Bacillus subtilis resistant to anthracene and lead was isolated from Persian Gulf sediments. Biosurfactant production was demonstrated using three methods, drop collapse, blood agar and oil spreading. Evaluation of optical density by spectrophotometer showed the bacterial growth in presence of 30 mg/l of anthracene and 50 mg/l of lead. Considerable proportion of anthracene (69.95%) was reduced after 120 h and the maximum percentage of lead absorption (82%) was observed after 150 min. The results indicated that the isolated bacterium was capable of removing anthracene and lead.