Thermophilic alkalitolerant bacterial strain MCM B-882 was isolated from oil well formation water in India. MCM B-882 was Gram variable, aerobic, motile, endospore forming and rod shaped. The MCM B-882 cells were occurring either solitarily or arranged in pairs and are 0.38 (0.33-0.47) x 2.75 (1.52-2.88) μm in size. MCM B-882 grows in the pH range of 6.0-10.0 and optimally at 7.0; temperature range of 45 – 65°C and optimally at 60°C; as well as in salt (NaCl) range of 1- 4% and optimally at 2%. The fatty acid spectrum of MCM B-882 showed isopentadecanoic, palmitic, and  isoheptadecanoic acids were the predominant species. The 16S rDNA analysis revealed that strain MCM B-882 is closely affiliated with genus Aeribacillus as Aeribacillus pallidus. The G+C content of it’s DNA was 42.24 mol%. There is significant difference in  physiological properties, fatty acid profiles, G+C content between Aeribacillus pallidus MCM B 882 and reported phylogenetically closest Aeribacillus pallidus DSM 3670^T  and also A. pallidus strain TD1. MCM B-882 can oxidizes hydrocarbons which was confirmed using INT assay. It produces biosurfactant when grown in presence of hydrocarbons. A. pallidus strain MCM B882 may be a good candidate to be used effectively in MEOR process as well as in bioremediation processes.

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