Bacteria Attacking Petroleum and Oil Fractions

Abstract

Although a number of workers have reported that certain bacteria and molds are capable of attacking hydrocarbons and mineral oils it is still not generally recognized how widespread is the occurrence of these organisms nor how great a variety of compounds of this nature may be attacked. Since S6hngen (1906) showed that some microorganisms possess the ability to utilize methane and Rahn (1906) described molds capable of attacking paraffin, there have appeared about thirty papers on the subject (cf. Hessel, 1924, and Tausson, 1929). Various gram-negative rods, particularly Pseudomonas, mycobacteria and micrococci have been described as attacking petroleum but there has been little effort made to compare organisms having this ability with bacteria that obtain their growth energy from the ordinary sources. Recently Bushnell and Haas (1941) have studied hydrocarbon utilization by various organisms and have found that Pseudomonas strains are most active whiJe certain species of micrococci and corynebacteria are also able to assimilate these compounds.The conditions necessary for attack on oils by microorganisms have been summarized by Tausson (1928) as follows: (1) presence of water with mineral salts;(2) a nitrogen source, such as the ammonium or nitrate ion; (3) free access of oxygen; (4) a neutral reaction and a buffer such as CaCO3 to maintain it.However, there has been little attention given as to what hydrocarbons are most subject to attack and the mechanism of their breakdown, although Tausson and co-workers (1934) have shown that some acids and unsaturation are produced in the bacterial dissimilation of crude and lubricating oils.The purpose of this work was to determine how wide a range of petroleum fractions could be readily attacked, to attempt to find which of several representative petroleum fractions were most subject to attack, and to isolate and characterize a number of organisms able to develop on a hydrocarbon medium. DEVELOPMENT OF CULTURES ON OILErlenmeyer flasks were prepared containing 0.5 g. oil, 50 ml. H20, 0.25 g.CaCO3, 0.25 per cent NH4NO3, 0.1 per cent Na2HPO4, 0.05 per cent KH2PO4, 0.05 per cent MgSO4, 0.02 per cent MnCl2, and traces of Ca, Fe and Zn. The flasks were inoculated with one gram of garden soil, incubated for a period of from 10 to 20 days and shaken twice daily. When considerable decomposition appeared as indicated by the emulsification of the oil and increased turbidity of the medium, 1 ml. of the mixture was transferred to another flask containing all the above ingredients except soil. After 2 to 3 transfers the breakdown of the oil proceeded faster and the period of incubation was shortened accordingly. Flasks were incubated at 20°, room temperature (23-26°), 30°, and 37°C. 169 on July 31, 2020 by guest

The Deterioration of Rubber Products by Micro‐Organisms

“…A priorione may expect the synthetic rubber to be attacked by bacteria because natural rubber is attacked and most kinds of hydrocarbons are oxidized by certain micro-organisms. According to Bushnell and Haas (6), Stone et al (26), ZoBell et al (28) and others, micro-organisms which attack hydrocarbons are widely distributed in water and soil. In general, unsaturated hydrocarbons are attacked more readily than saturated compounds, and long chains are attacked more readily than short chains.…”

The Utilization of Certain Hydrocarbons by Microorganisms

“…This is revealed in the ease of emulsification of the hydrocarbons following bacterial action. This emulsifying characteristic, due to bacterial action, was noted also by Stone, White, and Fenske (1940). An increase in the saponification number of mineral oil was noted by Tauson and Schapiro (1934).…”

“…Micro6rganisms capable of attacking petroleum products were obtained from soil by Stone, White, and Fenske (1940) by means of a medium containing mineral salts and petroleum.…”

“…The remainder was believed to have been used by the bacteria in the synthesis of protoplasm and other organic compounds, such as fatty acids. Stone, White, and Fenske (1940) determined the respiratory quotient of bacteria on various petroleum products, such as HYDROCARBON UTILIZATION BY MICROORGANISMS neutral oil, and secured a ratio of C02/02 varying from 0.50 to 0.70. In some preliminary studies with the organisms described in this paper, the respiratory quotients varied from 0.30 to 0.70.…”

Some Micro‐organisms Isolated From the Rotted Surfaces of Waterproofed Sisal Rope

“…0 ; nutrient (Lemco) agar ; mannitol asparagine agar (Thornton, 1922) ; and a ' proofer ' medium prepared by emulsifying the water repellent (approximately 5%) in a basal medium consisting of a mineral solution with 2% of agar. The basal solutions of Locke (Levine & Schoenlein, 1930), Bushel1 & Haas (1941), and Stone, Fenske & White (1942) were tried out in the first tests and the latter solution finally adopted. subsequently, ' proofer ' was incorporated in concentrations up to loyo, but as mould growth was considerably retarded a t the higher concentrations they were not used, although bacterial growth was good.…”