African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (9), pp. 293-295, September 2003

ISSN 1684-5315  © 2003 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Drilling fluid base oil biodegradation potential of a soil Staphylococcus species

C. O. Nweke¹ and G. C. Okpokwasili*

Department of Microbiology, University of Port Harcourt, P. M. B. 5323, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

*Corresponding Author: E-mail:  gidsilman@yahoo.com.

¹Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B.1526, Owerri, Nigeria.

Accepted 11 August 2003

Staphylococcus sp. isolated from oil-contaminated soil was grown in 1% drilling fluid base oil, HDF- 2000, as a sole source of carbon and energy. The organism has strong affinity for the substrate, growing at the rate of 0.16 h^-1. It uses adherence and emulsification as mechanisms for oil uptake. In a nutrient-rich marine broth, base oil (up to 2.0% v/v) and glucose (up to 1.6% w/v) have no significant effect on the growth rates. This showed that the Staphylococcus sp. is a strong primary utilizer of the base oil and has potential for application in bioremediation processes involving oil-based drilling fluids.

Key words: Drilling fluid base oil, Staphylococcus sp., biodegradation.