ABSTRACT

 Soil microorganisms including bacteria and fungi are critical in decomposition and recycling and in creating and maintaining good soil structure by proper aeration and formation of humus and particle aggregate. The aim ofthis study was to assess the biosurfactants producing bacteria from turmeric rhizosphere soil. The soil samples was collected from the rhizosphere turmeric plant. The soil sample was obtained from the turmeric soil and was transferred into a sterile container using a 1 Ocm soil sampler and was cultured after series ofbiochemical tests the following bacteria genera were isolated namely Bacillus, Micrococcus species and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Supernatants ofthe isolated strains were added to plates containing vegetable oil. Isolates S4 and S7 displaced in the oil displacement. The isolates were also tested for their emulsification abilities using Nhexadecane. From the study it is concluded that that bacteria isolates, S2, S3,S4,S7,S8,S1,S5 and S6, which were isolated from soils were able to produce extracellular biosurfactant (s) in the modified Kim's broth medium with vegetable oil as a sole carbon source. However, to obtain more diverse potential and novel bacteria, it is recommended that a wider range ofsoil samples be used for biosurfactant activity.