In vitro biodegradation of Arabian Light 250 by a marine mixed culture using fertilizers as nitrogen and phosphorous sources

The improved in vitro bioremediation of Arabian Light crude oil in synthetic sea water by a mixed culture of bacteria is reported. Effects of fish meal, meat meal 80 % proteins and sophorolipids on the biodegradation were evaluated during a three-week incubation using GC/FID and GC/MS analysis of the remaining oil. Fish meal and more particularly meat meal 80 % proteins used at 0,5 mg.ml⁻¹ involve no nitrogen and phosphorous limits when used as sole source of nutrients. Biodegradation processes in the first four days of the incubation supplemented with sophrolipids are accelerated two fold over controls.