Degradation of Asphaltenic Fraction by Locally Isolated Halotolerant Bacterial Strains

Abstract EN

Three halotolerant bacterial species were isolated from locally oil-polluted water sample for their ability to utilize asphaltene (Asph) fraction as sole carbon and energy source.

These bacteria degrade 83–96% of 2500 mg/L asphaltene within 21 d at 30°C and pH7.

They were identified as Bacillus sp.

Asph1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa Asph2, and Micrococcus sp.

Asph3.

A statistically significant difference at 95% confidence level for cell growth and percentage biodegradation (%BD) was observed in all biotreatment flasks relative to noninoculated (–ve control) flasks.

Regression analysis estimated a quadratic polynomial equation for Asph biodegradation as a function of cell growth.

Gel permeation chromatographic (GPC) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis revealed decrease in Asph average molecular weights and significant alternations in functional groups after biotreatment, respectively.