Application of Bioand Chemical Surfactants in Bioremediation of Crude Oil Fractions Part II

Application of Bioand Chemical Surfactants in Bioremediation of Crude Oil Fractions: Part II

H.S. El-Sheshtawy*, E.A. Omayma, A.S. El-Tabei, M.M. Doheim
Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute, Nasr City, 11727 Cairo, Egypt. *Corresponding author’s E-mail: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The synthesized of chemical nonionic surfactant and biosurfactant produced by Bacillus licheniformis showed a potential to enhance the biodegradation of crude oil. The presence of surfactants in the growth medium (mineral salt medium) increases the solubility of different fractions of crude oil and hence increases their bioavailability. Moreover, the biodegradation percentage was demonstrated at 50% of microcosm containing bio and chemical surfactant with saturates fraction separately. On the other hand, the biodegradation percentage of aromatics and resins fractions was presented at 60% with biosurfactant after 7 days incubation period. These results indicated that the bacterial strain has a potential to be applied in the bioremediation of petroleum contaminated sites.