The Effects of a Bacillus Biosurfactant on Methanogenic Hexadecane Degradation
Titel:
The Effects of a Bacillus Biosurfactant on Methanogenic Hexadecane Degradation
Auteur:
Jennings, Eleanor M. Tanner, Ralph S.
Verschenen in:
Bioremediation journal
Paginering:
Jaargang 8 (2004) nr. 1-2 pagina's 79-86
Jaar:
2004-01-01
Inhoud:
The effects of microbially produced biosurfactants on hydrocarbon degradation have been examined previously by other researchers. However, almost all of these studies were conducted using rhamnolipid biosurfactants produced by various Pseudomonas species under aerobic conditions. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of various levels of the Bacillus sp. JF2 lipopeptide biosurfactant on the degradation of hexadecane under methanogenic conditions. Hexadecane degradation did increase significantly when levels below critical micelle concentration of the pre-purified biosurfactant were added. However, at levels above this amount of biosurfactant, degradation of hexadecane appeared to be inhibited. The terminal electron accepting process, methanogenesis, was stimulated by surfactant addition. A review of the published literature revealed a wide variety of results, some which are similar to, but many that differ from those reported here. However, the results from this study were reproducible. Although there is no clear explanation for these results, more research on the effect of biosurfactants produced by Gram positive bacteria on the biodegradation of hydrocarbons is needed, as well as further studies under anaerobic conditions.
Tijdschrift beschrijving