Full Length Research Paper

Effect of nitrogen and phosphate limitation on utilization of bitumen and production of bitu-oil and gas by a bacterial consortium

J. K. Oloke¹*, E. A.  Adebayo¹ and D. A. Aina²

¹Department of Pure and Applied Biology, P. M. B. 4000, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.

²Departments of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Babcock, University, Ilisan, Ogun State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: Jkoloke@yahoo.com.co.uk. Tel: +2348033806981.

Accepted 3 October, 2009

   Abstract

Five strains of bacteria; Pseudomonas fragi, Streptococcus zymogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus macerans, capable of utilizing bitumen as source of carbon and energy were isolated from water sample obtained from bitumen producing area, Agbabu, Ondo state, Nigeria. The degradation of bitumen was found to be associated with the production of carbon (IV) oxide, natural gas and oil. As a result of using nitrogen limited and phosphate limited media, 1750 and 1250 cm³ of gas and 0.95 and 0.85 g/l of oil were obtained respectively. Nitrogen and phosphate limitation have profound effect on bitu-oil and gas production.

Key words: Bitumen, biodegradation, phosphate limited, nitrogen, bitu-oil.