Assessing Bacillus subtilis biosurfactant effects on the biodegradation of petroleum products

Montagnolli, Renato Nallin [UNESP]; Matos Lopes, Paulo Renato [UNESP]; Bidoia, Ederio Dino [UNESP]

Assessing Bacillus subtilis biosurfactant effects on the biodegradation of petroleum products

Data

2015-01-01

Autores

Montagnolli, Renato Nallin

Matos Lopes, Paulo Renato

Bidoia, Ederio Dino

Editor

Springer

Tipo

Artigo

Direito de acesso

Acesso restrito

Resumo

Microbial pollutant removal capabilities can be determined and exploited to accomplish bioremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted environments. Thus, increasing knowledge on environmental behavior of different petroleum products can lead to better bioremediation strategies. Biodegradation can be enhanced by adding biosurfactants to hydrocarbon-degrading microorganism consortia. This work aimed to improve petroleum products biodegradation by using a biosurfactant produced by Bacillus subtilis. The produced biosurfactant was added to biodegradation assays containing crude oil, diesel, and kerosene. Biodegradation was monitored by a respirometric technique capable of evaluating CO2 production in an aerobic simulated wastewater environment. The biosurfactant yielded optimal surface tension reduction (30.9 mN m(-1)) and emulsification results (46.90 % with kerosene). Biodegradation successfully occurred and different profiles were observed for each substance. Precise mathematical modeling of biosurfactant effects on petroleum degradation profile was designed, hence allowing long-term kinetics prediction. Assays containing biosurfactant yielded a higher overall CO2 output. Higher emulsification and an enhanced CO2 production dataset on assays containing biosurfactants was observed, especially in crude oil and kerosene.