Bioconversion, also known as biotransformation refers to the use of live organisms often microorganisms to carry out a chemical reaction that is more costly or not feasible nonbiologically. These organisms convert a substance to a chemically modified form.
Microbial conversion of petroleum resins existing in a heavy fraction of crude oil was investigated by native isolated consortia. The heavy oil fraction was taken from an end cut of distillation tower of Abadan refinery in Iran. Several Soil samples were taken from different oil contaminated sites of Abadan oil refinery in Khuzestan province. Seven bacterial consortia were then prepared by enrichment method and were examined for their ability to convert resins. Amongst them, consortium AB6 reduced 37.3% of resins while, aliphatic and aromatic compounds increased by 86.8% and 6.7%, respectively. Three pure cultures were isolated from consortium AB6 which were identified as Serratia sp., Raoultella sp. and Ochrobactrum sp. Different reports during recent decades have shown that microbial consortia are more effective on degradation and conversion of hydrocarbons, compared with individual strains. Different soil samples were taken in order to investigate the effect of native consortia on bioconversion of petroleum resins. This could lead to biological upgrading of heavy petroleum fractions and help in removal of environmental oil spills. Resin Compounds are adhesive hard solids that precipitate in the bottom of distillation tower or in oil wells leading to oil recovery decreases.
Last date updated on September, 2024