Enhanced biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soil by microbial biosurfactant, sophorolipid.
Effectiveness of a microbial biosurfactant, sophorolipid, was evaluated in washing and biodegradation of model hydrocarbons and crude oil in soil. Thirty percent of 2-methylnaphthalene was effectively washed and solubilized with 10 g/L of sophorolipid with similar or higher efficiency than that of commercial surfactants. Addition of sophorolipid in soil increased biodegradation of model compounds: 2-methylnaphthalene (95% degradation in 2 days), hexadecane (97%, 6 days), and pristane (85%, 6 days). Also, effective biodegradation method of crude oil in soil was observed by the addition of sophorolipid, resulting in 80% biodegradation of saturates and 72% aromatics in 8 weeks. These results showed the potentials of the microbial biosurfactant, sophorolipid, as an effective surfactant for soil washing and as an in situ biodegradation enhancer.
Kang
Seok-Whan
SW
Department of Biological Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 402-751, Korea.
Kim
Young-Bum
YB
Shin
Jae-Dong
JD
Kim
Eun-Ki
EK
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000378:metabolism*; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000378:metabolism; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000378:metabolism*
D006017:Glycolipids; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D010578:Petroleum; D012987:Soil; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D013501:Surface-Active Agents