Effect of emulsan on biodegradation of crude oil by pure and mixed bacterial cultures

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA)

OSTI ID:5028107

Foght, J M; Westlake, D W.S. ^[1]; Gutnick, D L ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Alberta, Edmonton (Canada)
2. Tel Aviv Univ., Ramat Aviv (Israel)

Crude oil was treated with purified emulsan, the heteropolysaccharide bioemulsifier produced by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1. A mixed bacterial population as well as nine different pure cultures isolated from various sources was tested for biodegradation of emulsan-treated and untreated crude oil. Biodegradation was measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. Recovery of {sup 14}CO{sub 2} from mineralized {sup 14}C-labeled substrates yielded quantitative data on degradation of specific compounds, and capillary gas chromatography of residual unlabeled oil yielded qualitative data on a broad spectrum of crude oil components. Biodegradation of linear alkanes and other saturated hydrocarbons, both by pure cultures and by the mixed population, was reduced some 50 to 90% after emulsan pretreatment. In addition, degradation of aromatic compounds by the mixed population was reduced some 90% in emulsan-treated oil. In sharp contrast, aromatic biodegradation by pure cultures was either unaffected or slightly stimulated by emulsification of the oil.

• OSTI ID: 5028107
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA), Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (USA) Vol. 55:1; ISSN 0099-2240; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540311 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Basic Studies-- Radiometric Techniques-- (1990-)
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
BACTERIA
BIODEGRADATION
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
METABOLISM
MICROORGANISMS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
TRACER TECHNIQUES