ENZYMATIC REMOVAL OF OIL SLICKS

A procedure to chemically modify enzymes in order to cause them to adhere to a hydrocarbon-water interface without appreciable loss of enzymatic activity has been developed. So far this procedure has only been applied to 'model' enzymes (muramidase, ribonuclease and 2 lipases); however, it is hoped that it can also be successfully used with purified microbial hydrocarbon oxidizing enzymes when they become available. Partial purification and characterization of extracellular emulsifying factors, produced by microorganisms during their growth on hydrocarbons was also accomplished. These factors are potentially useful in clean-up of oil spills by providing an easily biodegradable non-toxic detergent. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

  Department of Biochemistry
  Stillwater, OK  United States  74078
• Authors:
  • Gholson, R K
  • Guire, P E
• Publication Date: 1973-3-4

Media Info

• Pagination: 14 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Biodeterioration; Deterioration; Hydrocarbons; Metabolism; Oil spill cleanup; Oils; Water quality management
• Old TRIS Terms: Hydrocarbon metabolism; Oil degradation; Oil removal systems
• Subject Areas: Environment; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00044702
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: Final Rpt
• Contract Numbers: N00014-71A-0004-001
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 31 1973 12:00AM