Microbial Degradation of Biosurfactant Dispersed Oil

Abstract

Biological degradation of a light crude dispersed in sea water by a surfactant produced by an hydrocarbon degrading microorganism has been monitored in laboratory tests. Oligotrophic natural sea water was used with no additions. Results showed that the oil dispersed by the biosurfactant was more easily degraded than chemically dispersed oil. In adhesion tests it has been found that the number of microbial cells adhering to a water/hexadecane interface increases in presence of the biosurfactant. It is suggested that the biodegradation enhancement may be linked to a promoting action carried by the biosurfactant on the adhesion of degrading microorganisms onto the surface of the oil.

Biodegradation of a Bioemulsificant Exopolysaccharide (EPS2003) by Marine Bacteria

“…In our studies, we have used a new biosurfactant exopolysaccharide, named EPS 2003 , produced by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus CBS 962.97, a hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium isolated in laboratory. As previously described (Crescenzi et al 2003), the molecular structure of the biosurfactant corresponds to a polysaccharidic chain with hydrophobic fatty acids substitutions of 12-18 carbon atoms length ( Fig. 1).…”

Bio Degradation and Cytotoxic Potential of Biosurfactant From Marine Bacteria Associated With Algae Ulva Lactuca.

“…However, the more and more popular trend of using renewable resources in industry (especially in food and pharmaceutical industries) have led to relentless interesting in gaining and application of natural surfactants, mainly biosurfactants. Biological degradation of light crude dispersed in sea water by a surfactant produced by a hydrocarbon degrading microorganism has been monitored in laboratory tests and it showed that oil dispersed by a biosurfactin was more easily degraded than chemically dispersed oil (Francesco Crescenzi et al, 1971)Many bacterial strains have been isolated from coastal and oceanic environments; these bacteria , including the genera Pseudomonas, Vibrio, and Flavobacterium, has been considered to be representative of marine bacteria ( Harayama et al, 2004).In this work, four different species of microorganisms have been isolated namely Bacillus sp. 1 and 2, Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus.…”

Bioremediation of marine oil spills

“…Since the oil is dispersed into such a large volume, other nutrients required for the growth of bacteria, such as nitrogen, are not limiting because they are available in sufficient concentrations. The rate of biodegradation of oil droplets is immediately enhanced by the dispersion process, and much of the oil can be converted to microbial biomass, CO 2 and water over the following days to weeks [28][29][30][31].…”