Biodegration of biodiesel

Abstract

Local bacteria isolated from oil-contaminated soils from several locations in Perlis were screened for their ability to degrade commercial biodiesel fuel. The enrichment of bacteria culture from the soil samples yielded several isolates that are capable of degrading biodiesel. Of these, the sample taken from jetty Kuala Perlis was selected for further studies based on its best growth performance compared to the other samples. Biodegradation studies were conducted using the Gravimetric Analysis. The analysis of biodegradation rate was done by using analytical techniques which calculates by the difference between the initial and final weight of residual biodiesel oil that has been obtained after evaporating the extractant. The sample selected shown the optimum growth at 37°C in media containing 4% (v/v) biodiesel and is able to degrade 36.6% of biodiesel in 14 days. It also has been found that it can grow with optimum pH of 7.5.