Abstract

REYES-REYES, María Andrea et al. IMMOBILIZATION OF POTENTIALLY CRUDE OIL DEGRADING BACTERIA IN SYNTHETIC AND NATURAL ORGANIC MATRICES. Rev. Int. Contam. Ambient [online]. 2018, vol.34, n.4, pp.597-609. ISSN 0188-4999.  https://doi.org/10.20937/rica.2018.34.04.04.

In this study a bacterial consortium was assembled using isolates from an oily sludge sampled at a northeastern Colombian oil field. The consortium contains five putative oil degrading fast-growing strains associated to the genera Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Serratia sp., Raoultella sp. and Enterobacter sp.. In order to enhance its versatility the immobilization of the bacterial mixture was tested using several solid supports, which included matrices of natural (sodium alginate) and synthetic (polyurethane) origin. The immobilized biomass was analyzed by microdroplet counting, dry weight and electron microscopy. Although bacterial immobilization was observed in all cases, 3 % sodium alginate, PUF#10 and PUF#37 matrices showed the highest amount of biomass retention. Additionally, the environmentally relevant feature of biodegradability reported for sodium alginate and PUF#10 matrices favors their further testing and eventual use for bioremediation treatments, using the hereby evaluated consortia.

Keywords : bacterial consortium; immobilized biomass; sodium alginate; bioremediation; polyurethane.