Molecular Probes and Bioluminescent Reporters in Ecological Optimization ofBiodegradation. (FY 91 AASERT)

摘要

The goal of the research supported by this grant is to determine the role thatbiosurfactants and biosurfactant-producing microorganisms may play in enhancing the rate and/or extent of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) biodegradation in particulate media. Biosurfactants, which are surface-active compounds produced by certain bacterial strains, have been shown to increase the apparent aqueous solubility of sparingly-soluble organic contaminants including PAHs. The biodegradation rate is often controlled by the aqueous concentration which in turn may be controlled by sorption/desorption equilibrium in particulate matrices. Biosurfactants may function as another phase for the contaminant to partition into, thereby increasing the available pool of the contaminant and, thus, its rate of degradation.