Improving mass transfer rates in microbial cell immobilization system for environmental applications: Synergistic interaction of cells on crude oil biodegradation

• Published in: Journal of environmental management Vol. 326; p. 116729
• Main Authors: Partovinia, Ali, Khanpour-Alikelayeh, Elham, Talebi, Ahmad, Kermanian, Hossein
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 15.01.2023
• Subjects: Antagonistic interactions; Bioremediation; Electrospraying technique; Immobilized cell; Microbial consortium; Antagonistic interactions; Microbial consortium; Electrospraying technique; Immobilized cell; Bioremediation
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.116729

Among the various techniques used to clean up polluted environments, bioremediation is the most cost-effective and eco-friendly option. The diversity of microbial communities in a consortium can significantly affect the biodegradability of hazardous organic pollutants, particularly for in situ bioremediation processes. This is largely attributed to interactions between members of a consortium. In this study, the effect of internal diffusion limitations in substrate model biodegradation was firstly examined by immobilized bacterial cells at different particle sizes produced by the electrospray technique. According to the obtained results, for particles with large size, the effectiveness factors (η) were about 0.58–0.67, and the resistance to diffusive on the biodegradation rate was significant, while with decreasing the particle size, η increases and approaches about 1. After selection of suitable bead size, heavy crude oil biodegradation was investigated using a consortium consisting of three oil-degrading bacterial strains at different treatment systems. The removal rate in the suspended co-culture system stands at minimum value of 38% with all three strains which is an indicator of negative interactions among consortium members. Independent immobilization of microorganisms minimizes the competition and antagonistic interactions between strains and leads to more crude oil removal, so that, the biodegradation rate reached 60%. [Display omitted] •Oil biodegradation by a bacterial consortium with independent immobilized members.•Synergism and antagonism among members of the consortium.•Competition in a consortium can be neutralized by independent immobilization.•Kinetic model study to overcome mass transfer limitation of immobilized systems.•Electrospraying as a novel approach in order to control of bead size.