10.22376/ijpbs.2019.10.1.p1-12 Volume 6 Issue 3 2015 (July - September) Biosurfactants are surface active compounds released by various microorganisms. These are amphipathic molecules with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties that partition preferentially at the interface between fluid phases. Biosurfactants have a wide variety of applications in the petroleum, food and pharmaceutical industries as emulsifiers and wetting agents. They also help in clearing petroleum spills and reducing environmental pollution. lessThan i greaterThan Bacillus lessThan /i greaterThan sp. showing efficient degradation of hydrocarbons was isolated and characterized. High emulsification activity was observed on a wide range of hydrocarbons and oils in 24hrs the highest being more than greaterThan 88% emulsification index( EI lessThan sub greaterThan 24 lessThan /sub greaterThan ) with Coconut oil, Xylene, Olive oil Engine oil, and Kerosene with BS lessThan sub greaterThan 2 lessThan /sub greaterThan . The activity was associated with the production of high molecular weight bioemulsifier with potential applications. R. UDAYASREE AND V.V.LAKSHMI Biosurfactants, Bacillus sp, emulsification index, oil degrading 831-837