Microbial biodegradation

About: Microbial biodegradation is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1647 publications have been published within this topic receiving 75473 citations.

Microbial ecology and the problem of petroleum degradation in chespeake bay

Abstract: Petroleum degradation in the marine environment is one of the many processes effected by microorganisms. Control of this process will be achieved only through an understanding of microbial ecology. Information obtained on the ecology of mercury-metabolizing bacteria in Chesapeake Bay has provided interesting comparisons with the petroleum-degrading microbial populations. Petroleum degradation studies are being done to obtain a seasonal incidence, as well as species distribution of petroleum-degrading microorganisms in Chesapeake Bay. From analysis of water and sediments collected at two stations in Chesapeake Bay it was found that the concentration of petroleum in an oil polluted site in Baltimore Harbor was five times greater than in Eastern Bay. The numbers of petroleum-degrading microorganisms, measured by direct and replica plating, in the water and sediment samples were related to the concentration of soil in each sample. Total yields of petroleum-degrading microorganisms grown on an oil substrate were greater for those organisms exposed to oil in the natural environment. Microorganisms isolated from water and sediment samples collected in Baltimore Harbor grew on substrates representative of the aliphatic, aromatic and refractory hydrocarbons. From analyses of species distribution, it was observed that a hydrocarbon-utilizing fungus, Cladosporium resinae, and actinomycetes were predominant among the hydrocarbon-utilizing isolates. Microbial degradation of petroleum in Chesapeake Bay appears to be mediated by the autochthonous microbial flora. The objective of work in process is to determine whether a seasonal fluctuation in the petroleum-degrading microflora occurs in the Bay.

Enrichment and Identification of Askarel oil (PCB blend) degrading bacteria enriched from landfill sites in Edo State, Nigeria.

Abstract: Microbial degradation following aerobic biodegradation is one of the means used by microorganisms for the removal of persistent organic pollutants from the soil. Bacterial species namely: Pseudomonas, Micrococcus Arthrobacter and Acinetobacter capable of utilizing askarel oil (PCBs blend) were isolated from landfill soil samples from Uzogholo, Mgboaku and Auchi in Edo State of Nigeria. The isolation of these bacterial species followed an enrichment in minimal salt media were Askarel oil served as the sole carbon source. These bacterial isolates were characterized based on their cultural, morphological, biochemical characteristics and comparison with standard reference organisms. The potentials of these bacterial species to utilize askarel oil were assessed by measuring changes in the turbidity and pH of the enrichment medium containing varying concentrations of the Askarel oil. From the weekly results obtained, significant increases in the mean turbidity ranged between (0.065- 0.371) and decreases in mean pH ranged between (6.15- 3.55) for the 21 days incubation period. Some of the bacterial organisms exhibited remarkable utilization of askarel oil at different concentrations in 15μL and 20μL of the askarel minimal salt medium. From these findings, the bacterial species of remarkable potential can be isolated, re-engineered via biotechnology or bioaugmentation for effective remediation of landfill sites polluted with Polychlorinated biphenyls compounds and its derivatives in Nigeria.