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 micro-organism 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.