An actinomycete isolated from Antarctic soil (Dewart Island) and identified as Nocardioides sp. A-8 grown on n-paraffin as a carbon source produced biosurfactants. Hemolysis of erythrocytes, growth inhibition of Bacillus subtilis and thin-layer chromatography studies revealed that the secreted biosurfactants are rhamnolipids. They lowered the surface tension of the medium below 35 mN/m and efficiently emulsified aromatic hydrocarbons and n-paraffin. The results showed that the Antarctic Nocardioides sp. A-8 and its produced glycolipids with effective surface and emulsifying properties represent a promising potential for application in bioremediation of soil environments polluted with hydrocarbons. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.