Biodegradation of lubricating oil by three species of Candida

Abstract EN

This work examines the biodeterioration of lubricating oil in the presence of aqueous phase by Candida species isolated from used oil, the isolated strains were identified as Candida petrophilum, Candida lipolytica and Candida pulcherrina, it was found that the yeasts were able to utilize the base oil and it's additives as a sole source of carbon and energy, the degradation processes was monitored by measuring the total viable count of the cells, dry weight of the biomass and the final pH of the aqueous phase of the medium, also the effect of different temperatures and pH on these isolates were determined.

Data of the temperature and pH related biomass yield, showed that the best biodegradation of the lubricating oil was occurred at 25 C degree and at a pH of 5.6 for all the isolates.