Microbial Biosurfactants Role in Oil Products Biodegradation

Abstract

Biosurfactants have a wide-range of applications due to their unique properties like specificity, low toxicity and relative ease of preparation. These properties hold promise for biosurfactants to increase the degree of microbial destruction of petroleum hydrocarbons, which promotes the effective remediation of the petroleum pollution. This article presents a review of available research data and publications regarding hydrocarbon biodegradation, oil-degrading bacteria metabolism, and application of biosurfactants to these processes. Hydrocarbon degrading bacteria producing biosurfactants and their consortia search was provided, types of microbial surfactants and their physiological role were described and ordered. Range of factors affecting the surface active properties of producers’ cultures was studied. The results are promising enough to continue the quest for enhancement of hydrocarbon biodegradation with biosurfactants application to look forward for biosurfactants as a solution of petroleum pollution problem.