African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5242

Full Length Research Paper

Biodegradation of used motor oil by Nostoc piscinale TISTR 8401

Witaya Pimda and Sumontip Bunnag*
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, 123/2001 Moo 16, Friendship highway, Naimuaeng sub-district, Muaeng district, Khonkaen province 40002, Thailand.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 20 February 2012
  •  Published: 16 March 2012

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the potential of Nostoc piscinale TISTR 8401 in the biodegradation of used motor oil. Experiments were performed by incubating cyanobacteria in liquid N-free medium amended with 0-15% used motor oil for a period of 14 weeks. It was found that the cyanobacteria performed the best in the biodegradation of used motor oil when 3% oil was applied. Net percentage loss of total petroleum hydrocarbons was 21%. Biomass and total proteins dramatically increased by 0.0457 g (682.09%), and 170.97 mg/ml, respectively. However, chlorophyll a content dropped by 3.609 µg/ml (36.57%).

 

Key words: Nostoc piscinale, used motor oil, biodegradation, total petroleum hydrocarbons

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This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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