What are called hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria?
Hydrocarbon degrading bacteria are known as hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (HCB). They utilize hydrocarbons as carbon and energy source for growth. HCB are important constituents of oil degrading consortia and are usually present in hydrocarbon contaminated sites. Bacterial cells first attach to oil droplets.
What are Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria HCB )? What is their role in protecting aquatic environment?
The group of the so-called obligate hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (OHCB) are marine microorganisms affiliated with the genera Alcanivorax, Cycloclasticus, Oleiphilus and Thalassolituus. This small group plays a major role in oil-bioremediation in marine ecosystems.
How does Alcanivorax Borkumensis work?
Alcanivorax borkumensis is a rod-shaped bacteria that relies on oil to provide it with energy. borkumensis, such as a set of genes that allow the organism to break down the alkanes in oil and use them as food.
What is the role of a Borkumensis in bioremediation?
One of the most useful and interesting examples of the use of prokaryotes for bioremediation purposes is the cleanup of oil spills. Some species, such as Alcanivorax borkumensis, produce surfactants that solubilize the oil (making it soluble in water), whereas other bacteria degrade the oil into carbon dioxide.
What does a petroleum microbiologist do?
Petroleum microbiology is a branch of microbiology that deals with the study of microorganisms that can metabolize or alter crude or refined petroleum products. Interest in this field is growing due to the increasing role of bioremediation in oil spill cleanup. …
What does a microbiologist do in an oil company?
In most industries, microbiologists operate within the Quality Assurance and Control department where they perform several quality assurance tests on products. Industries like oil and gas and various FMCGs utilize microbiologists to test assurance of their products.
Which term is associated with petroleum microbiology?
These microorganisms, also called hydrocarbonoclastic microorganisms, can degrade hydrocarbons and, include a wide distribution of bacteria, methanogenic archaea, and some fungi.
Is Alcanivorax bad for Borkumensis?
borkumensis, a non-pathogenic marine bacterium piqued his curiosity. The microorganism’s genome contains the codes of a number of interesting enzymes and it is classified as “hydrocarbonoclastic” — i.e., as a bacterium that uses hydrocarbons as a source of energy.
Where is Alcanivorax in Borkumensis?
A. borkumensis is found naturally in seawater environments. It is more common in oceanic areas containing petroleum oil (whether from spills, natural fields, or other sources), although it can be found in small amounts in unpolluted water.
Can a microbiologist work in an oil company?
What is the meaning of the term hydrocarbono-clastic?
Hydrocarbono-clastic means degrading hydrocarbons or simply ‘eating’ or ‘breaking’ the hydrocarbon molecules. Petroleum, crude oil or oil and hydrocarbons are sometimes used synonymously. Hydrocarbons are principle constituents of petroleum, related byproducts like coal tar, diesel, petrol, gasoline, kerosene and major environmental pollutants.
Why are hydrocarbons considered to be recalcitrant molecules?
Hydrocarbons are recalcitrant because of their oily nature and poor water solubility. They pers.. Hydrocarbono-clastic means degrading hydrocarbons or simply ‘eating’ or ‘breaking’ the hydrocarbon molecules. Petroleum, crude oil or oil and hydrocarbons are sometimes used synonymously.
Are there any bacteria that are hydrocarbonoclastic in nature?
Obligate marine hydrocarbon bacteria genera include Marinobacter, Marinobacterium, Alcanivorax, Neptunomonas, Thalassolituus, Cycloclasticus, Oleispira and Oleiphilus. Marinobacterium jannaschii and Oleispira antarctica are psychrophilic and halotolerant HCBs.
What is the hydrocarbonoclastic potential of HCB in freshwater?
Hydrocarbonoclastic potential of HCB in freshwater is dependent on emulsification or surfactant activity of strains, pH, concentration of contaminant in that habitat. HCB from marine environment are mainly Gram negative, halotolerant, strictly hydrocarbonoclastic and aerobic γ-proteobacteria.