Open AccessFirst evidence of mineralization of petroleum asphaltenes by a strain of Neosartorya fischeri
Author(s) -
UribeAlvarez Cristina,
Ayala Marcela,
Perezgasga Lucia,
Naranjo Leopoldo,
Urbina Héctor,
VazquezDuhalt Rafael
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
microbial biotechnology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.287
H-Index - 74
ISSN - 1751-7915
DOI - 10.1111/j.1751-7915.2011.00269.x
Subject(s) - asphaltene , petroleum , energy source , microorganism , strain (injury) , fungus , chemistry , mineralization (soil science) , biology , carbon source , carbon fibers , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , bacteria , environmental chemistry , biochemistry , botany , ecology , organic chemistry , anatomy , genetics , materials science , soil water , composite number , composite material
Summary A fungal strain isolated from a microbial consortium growing in a natural asphalt lake is able to grow in purified asphaltenes as the only source of carbon and energy. The asphaltenes were rigorously purified in order to avoid contamination from other petroleum fractions. In addition, most of petroporphyrins were removed. The 18S rRNA and β‐tubulin genomic sequences, as well as some morphologic characteristics, indicate that the isolate is Neosartorya fischeri . After 11 weeks of growth, the fungus is able to metabolize 15.5% of the asphaltenic carbon, including 13.2% transformed to CO 2 . In a medium containing asphaltenes as the sole source of carbon and energy, the fungal isolate produces extracellular laccase activity, which is not detected when the fungus grow in a rich medium. The results obtained in this work clearly demonstrate that there are microorganisms able to metabolize and mineralize asphaltenes, which is considered the most recalcitrant petroleum fraction.