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Emulsification and degradation of “Bunker C” fuel oil by microorganisms
Author(s) -
Zajic J. E.,
Supplisson B.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.260140306
Subject(s) - microorganism , fuel oil , chemistry , fraction (chemistry) , biomass (ecology) , bacteria , chromatography , biodegradation , degradation (telecommunications) , organic chemistry , waste management , biology , telecommunications , agronomy , genetics , computer science , engineering
An enrichment culture procedure has been used to isolate mixed culture systems which grow upon “Bunker C” fuel oil. When inoculated into a mineral salts aqueous medium containing Bunker C oil, the mixed cultures initiate oil emulsification. Emulsification usually is observed in 24–48 hr. The role of microbes in this emulsification will be discussed. It appears that certain metabolic products produced by the microbe possess properties of surfactants. Bacteria and fungi have been isolated which possess the ability to cause emulsification. Freeze‐dried biomass is also capable of emulsifying oil. Chromatographic analyses of biodegraded Bunker C fuel oil show that microorganisms selectively metabolize the n ‐paraffin fraction.