@article{fdi:010053767,
  title = {{S}imultaneous hydrocarbon biodegradation and biosurfactant production by oilfield-selected bacteria},
  author = {{M}nif, {S}. and {C}hamkha, {M}. and {L}abat, {M}arc and {S}ayadi, {S}.},
  editor = {},
  language = {{ENG}},
  abstract = {{A}ims: {T}o study the bacterial diversity associated with hydrocarbon biodegradation potentiality and biosurfactant production of {T}unisian oilfields bacteria. {M}ethods and {R}esults: {E}ight {T}unisian hydrocarbonoclastic oilfields bacteria have been isolated and selected for further characterization studies. {P}hylogenetic analysis revealed that three thermophilic strains belonged to the genera {G}eobacillus, {B}acillus and {B}revibacillus, and that five mesophilic strains belonged to the genera {P}seudomonas, {L}ysinibacillus, {A}chromobacter and {H}alomonas. {T}he bacterial strains were cultivated on crude oil as sole carbon and energy sources, in the presence of different {N}a{C}l concentrations (1, 5 and 10%, w/v), and at 37 or 55 degrees {C}. {T}he hydrocarbon biodegradation potential of each strain was quantified by {GC}-{MS}. {S}train {C}450{R}, phylogenetically related to the species {P}seudomonas aeruginosa, showed the maximum crude oil degradation potentiality. {D}uring the growth of strain {C}450{R} on crude oil (2%, v/v), the emulsifying activity ({E}24) and glycoside content increased and reached values of 77 and 1.33 g l(-1), respectively. {I}n addition, the surface tension ({ST}) decreased from 68 to 35.1 m{N} m(-1), suggesting the production of a rhamnolipid biosurfactant. {C}rude biosurfactant had been partially purified and characterized. {I}t showed interest stability against temperature and salinity increasing and important emulsifying activity against oils and hydrocarbons. {C}onclusions: {T}he results of this study showed the presence of diverse aerobic bacteria in {T}unisian oilfields including mesophilic, thermophilic and halotolerant strains with interesting aliphatic hydrocarbon degradation potentiality, mainly for the most biosurfactant produced strains. {S}ignificance and {I}mpact of the {S}tudy: {I}t may be suggested that the bacterial isolates are suitable candidates for practical field application for effective in situ bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated sites.},
  keywords = {biodegradation ; biosurfactant ; crude oil ; oilfields ; production water},
  booktitle = {},
  journal = {{J}ournal of {A}pplied {M}icrobiology},
  volume = {111},
  numero = {3},
  pages = {525--536},
  ISSN = {1364-5072},
  year = {2011},
  DOI = {10.1111/j.1365-2672.2011.05071.x},
  URL = {https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010053767},
}