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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The potential for hydrocarbon biodegradation and production of extracellular polymeric substances by aerobic bacteria isolated from a Brazilian petroleum reservoir

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Author(s):
Vasconcellos, S. P. [1, 2] ; Dellagnezze, B. M. [2] ; Wieland, A. [3] ; Klock, J. -H. [3] ; Santos Neto, E. V. [4] ; Marsaioli, A. J. [5] ; Oliveira, V. M. [2] ; Michaelis, W. [3]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, BR-09972270 Diadema, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Res Ctr Chem Biol & Agr CPQBA, Div Microbial Resources, BR-13081970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[3] Univ Hamburg, Inst Biogeochem & Marine Chem, D-20146 Hamburg - Germany
[4] PETROBRAS R&D Ctr, BR-21949900 Rio De Janeiro - Brazil
[5] Univ Estadual Campinas, UNICAMP, Inst Chem, BR-13084971 Campinas, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: WORLD JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY; v. 27, n. 6, p. 1513-1518, JUN 2011.
Web of Science Citations: 19
Abstract

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) can contribute to the cellular degradation of hydrocarbons and have a huge potential for application in biotechnological processes, such as bioremediation and microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). Four bacterial strains from a Brazilian petroleum reservoir were investigated for EPS production, emulsification ability and biodegradation activity when hydrocarbons were supplied as substrates for microbial growth. Two strains of Bacillus species had the highest EPS production when phenanthrene and n-octadecane were offered as carbon sources, either individually or in a mixture. While Pseudomonas sp. and Dietzia sp., the other two evaluated strains, had the highest hydrocarbon biodegradation indices, EPS production was not detected. Low EPS production may not necessarily be indicative of an absence of emulsifier activity, as indicated by the results of a surface tension reduction assay and emulsification indices for the strain of Dietzia sp. The combined results gathered in this work suggest that a microbial consortium consisting of bacteria with interdependent metabolisms could thrive in petroleum reservoirs, thus overcoming the limitations imposed on each individual species by the harsh conditions found in such environments. (AU)