Nicolo paolo M. Lamigo, Rachelle Ange M. Lamigo, Leo J T. Soriano (March 2011)
Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus – Department of Science and Technology (DOST-PSHS WVC), Brgy. Bito-on, Jaro, Iloilo City 5000, Philippines
ABSTRACT
Biodegradation is one of the methods that are used to remove toxic wastes in the environment using different organisms. Mycobacterium vanbaalenii is an aerobic, Gram positive and acid fast bacterium. It can mineralize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons a component of crude oil and use it as its source of carbon and energy. This study determined the amount of bunker oil left after exposure to M. vanbaalenii for 28 days. The degradation rate and the growth of bacteria were also determined. In the degradation rate is 0.0129 g/day. Independent samples t-test (a=0.05) showed that there is a significant difference (p=0.0005) in the bacteria was determined but was not counted due to overgrowth of cells.
Keywords: bunker oil, Mycobacterium vanbaalenii, biodegradation