Winner of the 2010 Earth Award
  • Browse

History:...Mounds accumulate calcium carbonate: termites...Feather structure insulates: Canada goose...Ask Nature

Thank a Genius
Created: 2011-08-19
Updated: 2011-08-19

Breaking down crude oil: yeast


Loading...

Slide_show_arrows  1 of 1 Candida albicans / Maxine Jalbe.. / LicensePD - Public Domain

The metabolism of Candida and other yeasts is capable of breaking down hydrocarbons in crude oil.

Biomimetic Application Ideas
 
Strategies to monitor and test for microorganism contamination in oil products, anti-corrosion of pipelines and tanks, bioremediation of polluted sites and waterways.

> Visit strategy page

[Collapse all sections] Summary
"Both aerobic and anaerobic microorganisms tend to colonise oil pipelines and oil and fuel storage installations. Complex microbial communities consisting of both hydrocarbon oxidizing microorganisms and bacteria using the metabolites of the former form an ecological niche where they thrive." (Yemashova et al. 2007:315)
About the inspiring organism
Med_phil_291_lores Candida
Candida


Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Strategies to monitor and test for microorganism contamination in oil products, anti-corrosion of pipelines and tanks, bioremediation of polluted sites and waterways.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Oil industry, mining industry, bioremediation, water quality, waste treatment

Experts
Department of Enzymology
Sergey V. Kalyuzhnyi
Faculty of Chemistry, Moscow State University
References
Yemashova NA; Murygina VP; Zhukov DV; Zakharyantz AA; Gladchenko MA; Appanna V; Kalyuzhnyi SV. 2007. Biodeterioration of crude oil and oil derived products: a review. Reviews in Environmental Science and Biotechnology. 6(4): 315-337.
Google>>  Scirus>>