Isolation and Characterization of a Crude oil-Degrading Strain, Nocardia sp. H 17-1

원유 분해균주 Nocardis sp. Hl7-1의 분리 및 특성

Bacterial strains which degrade crude oil were isolated by liquid culture from oil-spilled soil, and four isolates were selected among them. The strain Hl7-1 was finally selected after testing emulsifying activity and oil conversion rate. The strain Hl7-1 was identified as a Nocardia sp. based on the test for morphological, biochemical and physiological characteristics. It appears to be highly specialized for growth on crude oil in minimal salts medium since it showed preference for oil or degradation products as substrates for growth. It was found that it could grow on at least fifteen different hydrocarbons. The optimum cultural and environmental conditions were seeked. Cell growth and emulsification activity as a function of time were also determined. Crude oil degradation and the reduction of product peak was identified by the analysis of remnant oil by gas chromatography after 3 days of cultivation. Approximately 83% of oil were converted into a form no longer extractable by organic solvents.

원유에 대한 분해능이 있는 균주를 분리하고, 이들 균주의 균체생육과 유화활성 및 원유 전환율을 검토하여 4균주 즉, A54, H17, H17-1 그리고 F6 를 선멸하였다. 이들 균주중 H17-1 균주를 최종선멸하여 형태학적 빛 생화학적 그리고 생리학적 특성 을 조사한 후 Nocardia sp. H 17-1로 명명하였다. Nocardia sp. H17-1의 배양 시간에 따른 균체생육, 유화도 그리고 원유 전환율을 측정한 결과, 균체수 는 $9.1\times109 CFU/mL$었고, 유화활성과 원유 전환율 은 각각 480 unit/mL와 약 83%로서 최대치에 도달하였다. 또한, 다양한 탄화수소를 탄소원으로 이용 하였다. 원유분해를 위한 배양조건 및 환경인자의 영향을 조사한 결과 배양온도는 $^30{\circ}C$, 초발 pH는 7.0, 염분농도는 2.0%이며, 5% 이상에서는 유화활 성이 현저히 감소하였다. 원유농도는 3%, 무기염류 의 농도는 12.5 mM $NH_4N0_3$, 0.057 mM $K_2HPO_4$로 나타났다. 또한, 잔류 원유의 GC 분석 결과 CI6(n­ hexadecane) 이상의 n-alkane peak가 현저히 감소하였다.