Podcast
Questions and Answers
What group does Phanerochaete chrysosporium add to pollutants to aid in their breakdown?
What group does Phanerochaete chrysosporium add to pollutants to aid in their breakdown?
Bioremediation is only effective in lab conditions and cannot be performed on-site.
Bioremediation is only effective in lab conditions and cannot be performed on-site.
False
Name one advantage of bioremediation.
Name one advantage of bioremediation.
It is perceived as a natural process by the public.
Bioremediation can be less expensive than other __________ technologies used for hazardous waste cleanup.
Bioremediation can be less expensive than other __________ technologies used for hazardous waste cleanup.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following statements about bioremediation with their correct classification:
Match the following statements about bioremediation with their correct classification:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is a disadvantage of bioremediation?
Which of the following is a disadvantage of bioremediation?
Signup and view all the answers
Not all pollutants can be rapidly degraded through bioremediation.
Not all pollutants can be rapidly degraded through bioremediation.
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key concern regarding the products of biodegradation?
What is a key concern regarding the products of biodegradation?
Signup and view all the answers
Bioremediation may take longer than __________ treatment options.
Bioremediation may take longer than __________ treatment options.
Signup and view all the answers
Which organism is primarily involved in the breakdown of organopollutants?
Which organism is primarily involved in the breakdown of organopollutants?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a property of biosurfactants?
Which of the following is NOT a property of biosurfactants?
Signup and view all the answers
Biosurfactants can only be produced by Gram-negative bacteria.
Biosurfactants can only be produced by Gram-negative bacteria.
Signup and view all the answers
Name one biosurfactant producer.
Name one biosurfactant producer.
Signup and view all the answers
Biosurfactants are used in the oil industry for _______.
Biosurfactants are used in the oil industry for _______.
Signup and view all the answers
Match the following types of biosurfactants with their examples:
Match the following types of biosurfactants with their examples:
Signup and view all the answers
What type of biosurfactant is known for its antifungal activity?
What type of biosurfactant is known for its antifungal activity?
Signup and view all the answers
White rot fungi can degrade a variety of organic pollutants.
White rot fungi can degrade a variety of organic pollutants.
Signup and view all the answers
Which fungi are reported to degrade formaldehyde?
Which fungi are reported to degrade formaldehyde?
Signup and view all the answers
Pseudomonas species can degrade hydrocarbons under _______ conditions.
Pseudomonas species can degrade hydrocarbons under _______ conditions.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following biosurfactants is known for utilizing crude oil and hydrocarbons as sole carbon sources?
Which of the following biosurfactants is known for utilizing crude oil and hydrocarbons as sole carbon sources?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Biosurfactants Production and Applications
- Biosurfactants are organic, amphiphilic compounds that lower surface tension.
- They can act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, and foaming agents.
- Biosurfactants are surface-active biomolecules excreted by microbes.
- They have both hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-hating) regions.
- The hydrophilic head interacts with water, while the hydrophobic tail interacts with hydrophobic substances.
Biosurfactant Structure
- A surfactant molecule has a distinct structure with a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail.
- The hydrophilic head is attracted to water and forms a shell around a hydrophobic substance.
- This process stabilizes the substance and prevents it from clumping.
- The hydrophobic tails of several surfactant molecules surround the oil droplet and thus stabilize the emulsion.
Biosurfactant Properties
- Biosurfactants have surface and interfacial activity.
- They demonstrate tolerance to temperature, pH and ions.
- They are biodegradable.
- They exhibit low toxicity.
- They are biocompatible and digestible.
Biosurfactant Classification
- Biosurfactants are classified based on their chemical structure and microbial origin.
- Examples of classes include: glycolipids (rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, trehalolipids), phospholipids, polymeric biosurfactants (lipotetides or surfactants).
Biosurfactant Producers
- Acinetobacter sp
- Bacillus sp
- Candida antarctica
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Biosurfactant Applications in the Oil Industry
- Specific bacteria like Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis JF-2, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Torulopsis bombicola can utilize crude oil and hydrocarbons as sole carbon sources.
- This process can be used for oil spill clean-ups.
Biosurfactants in Degradation Processes
- Pseudomonas species are used to degrade aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons from crude oil in laboratory conditions.
- Degradation rates range from 85% to 97%.
Application of Biosurfactants in Agriculture
- Fengycins are biosurfactants that show antifungal activity.
- They could be used in biocontrol of plant diseases
Use of Fungi in Bioremediation
- Candida can break down formaldehyde and Gibeberella break down cyanide.
- Slurry-phase bioremediation is used for small amounts of contaminated soil.
- Composting is used to degrade household wastes
Degradation of Organopollutants
- Phanerochaete chrysosporium white rot fungi break down pollutants by adding —OH groups.
- Hydroxylation makes the compound more polar.
Advantages of Bioremediation
- Bioremediation is a natural process, making it generally more acceptable to the public.
- It can completely destroy contaminants.
- It is possible to target pollutants without transferring them to another medium.
- It can often be performed on-site without major disruption.
- It can be cheaper than other technologies.
Disadvantages of Bioremediation
- Bioremediation is limited to compounds that are biodegradable.
- The secondary biodegradation products might be toxic or persistent.
- Biological processes are often specific to microbes and may need suitable environmental conditions.
- Extrapolating from lab/pilot studies to full-scale field operations can be difficult.
- It often takes longer than chemical methods.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Explore the world of biosurfactants, their unique structures, and their diverse applications in various industries. This quiz delves into the properties and functionalities of these organic compounds, which play a crucial role in reducing surface tension. Discover how microbes produce these fascinating biomolecules and their significance in everyday products.
