Bacteria specializing in oil consumption

Alcanivorax Borkumensis is the name of a bacterium that lives in oil-contaminated waters. This small sea creature is hardly found in clean waters, but is present in the smallest black tide. Its exchange relies on hydrocarbons as the only source of carbon and energy.

Model of a chromosome of bacteria Alcanivorax Borkumensis
(Photo: nouvelobs) A group of European researchers has decoded the gene of this biodegradable bacterium. They also identified genes that are more advantageous for this characteristic than other biodegradable bacteria.

Alcanivorax Borkumensis can effectively proliferate and live mostly on hydrocarbons in crude oil. It can decompose large amounts of hydrocarbons. This bacterium produces biological surfactants that contribute to the transfer of oils into emulsions and accelerates decomposition.

Data in the genome and functional analysis provide scientists with an invaluable knowledge base that seeks to reduce environmental damage caused by sea oil spills.

Every year millions of tons of oil spill in the oceans. A small part is absorbed by natural oil fields but mostly by humans. One of the most serious pollution events in recent years has been the black tide caused by a large tanker sank off the Spanish coast of Galicie, spilling about 17,000 tons of heavy fuel.

Alcanivorax Borkumensis Bacteria (Photo: genetik.uni-bielefeld)

Power