BIOFILM CONTROL AND FRACK FLUID PRODUCTION USING BACILLUS SUBTILIS ACTIVATED WITH GFAK

摘要

A composition suitable for addition to frack water comprising: a blend of Bacillus species, 5.6mM β-D-glucose, 5.6mM β-fructose, 30mM L-asparagine and 6 mM KCl in 50mM-Tris / HCl buffer, pH 7.5 (GFAK); wherein on germination the bacteria produce prodigious amounts of the natural biosurfactant surfactin, biocidal concentrations of subtilin and lanthionine-containing peptide antibiotics which act to competitively exclude unwanted bacteria; in addition they produce α-amylase enzymes which detach biofilm exopolysaccharide components; when added to fracking fluids they increase efficiency, control biofilm formation and reduce or remove the need to add environmentally-damaging chemicals to frack fluids.