ISOLATION AND FUNCTIONAL SCREENING OF TAMARIND (TAMARINDUS INDICA) DERIVED BACTERIA FOR BIOSURFACTANTS, LIPASES AND ANTIMICROBIAL COMPOUNDS

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) hosts diverse microbial communities with potential for producing industrially and medically significant compounds. This study explores the biotechnological potential of bacteria isolated from tamarind soil, bark, and pulp, focusing on their ability to produce biosurfactants, exhibit lipolytic activity, and synthesize antimicrobial compounds. Samples were collected from tamarind trees in Jarawan Kogi, Plateau State, Nigeria. Bacterial isolation was performed using Nutrient Agar and Potato Dextrose Agar with serial dilution and pour plate techniques. Biosurfactant production was assessed via drop collapse, oil spreading, emulsification index (E24), haemolysis, CTAB agar, and foaming tests. Lipolytic activity was evaluated using p-nitrophenyl palmitate (p-NPP) substrate with spectrophotometric analysis at 410 nm. Antimicrobial activity was tested against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus using the agar well diffusion method. Isolates were characterized through Gram staining, catalase tests, and sugar fermentation profiles. A total of 24 bacterial isolates were obtained (17 from soil, 3 from bark, 4 from pulp), with soil samples showing the highest counts (up to 1.3 × 10⁵ CFU/g). Soil isolates (e.g., TmS7, TmS8, TmS12) exhibited strong biosurfactant activity, with emulsification indices up to 77.78% and positive results in drop collapse, oil spreading, and haemolysis tests. Lipolytic activity was prominent in soil isolates (e.g., TmS1, TmS3(b), TmS4), with UV readings up to 2.293. Antimicrobial activity was isolate-specific, with TmS2(b) showing the highest inhibition zones (0.65 mm for E. coli, 0.58 mm for S. aureus). Biochemical tests revealed a mix of Gram-positive and Gram-negative rods, with TmS2 and TmS5 showing broad sugar fermentation capabilities. Tamarind-derived bacteria, particularly from soil, demonstrate significant potential for biosurfactant production, lipolytic activity, and antimicrobial compound synthesis. These findings highlight their applicability in bioremediation, industrial enzyme production, and antimicrobial development, underscoring the need for further exploration and optimization of these microbial resources. Keywords: Tamarind, biosurfactants, lipolytic activity, antimicrobial compounds, biotechnology