Jet A-1 Bacterial Contamination: a Case Study of Cultivable Bacteria Diversity, Alkane Degradation and Biofilm Formation

Abstract

Bacterial contamination during fuel storage can lead to fuel biodegradation (biodeterioration) or infrastructure problems (i.e., microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), biofouling, etc.). Jet A-1 storage tank samples were screened, and 23 morphologically distinct bacterial strains were isolated. 6 isolates revealed biofilm initiation capacity. For 12 isolates the alkane monooxygenase gene (alkB) was successfully detected. The 12 alkB-possessing isolates were 16S rDNA sequences identified as belonging to Bradyrhizobium, Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Methylobacterium and Lelliottia genera. In addition to possessing enzymatic equipment (AlkB) required for alkane oxidation, 10 out of 12 isolates were able to use Jet A-1 and n-tetradecane as their sole carbon source and energy. Biofilm initiation capacity and the ability to grow on different hydrocarbons highlights once again that fuel bacterial contamination can lead to serious fuel and storage system alterations. In contrast, their adaptation to high concentrations of hydrocarbons highlights the potential use of our isolates for bioremediation processes.

Revealing of Non-Cultivable Bacteria Associated with the Mycelium of Fungi in the Kerosene-Degrading Community Isolated from the Contaminated Jet Fuel

“…Moreover, some fungi form endosymbiosis with bacteria; therefore, they may also be transferred by the “pipeline” [ 33 , 78 ]. Communities of hydrocarbon-degrading fungi and bacteria form biofilms [ 17 , 18 , 28 , 83 , 84 ]. Genes for biofilm formation were detected in the fungal-interactive bacterium Burkholderia terrae BS001 [ 80 ].…”

“…Altogether it leads to a metal corrosion in the zone of the water layer and subsequent destruction or delimitation of protective coatings [ 7 , 9 ]. Thus, biodamage changes fuel chemical composition, on the one hand, and, on the other hand, it causes impurities of biological origin (e.g., fragments of microbial biofilms) [ 7 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…The majority of research on microbial biodegradation is focused on the pure cultures of bacterial or fungal strains isolated from the fuel [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ]. However, in real systems, biodamage is caused by a complex impact of microbial communities [ 11 , 17 , 21 , 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”

Progress in Corrosion Research on Alternative Liquid Fuels

“…Corrosion by Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus circosus was observed in aircraft fuel tanks [95]. Bradyrhizobium, Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Methylobacterium, and Lelliottia genera have been proven to cause corrosion [96]. On the other hand, the effect can be indirect, as the sulfate and organic acid substances generated by microbial activities create a more easily corrosive environment, and sulfate-related bacteria are the most damaging.…”