VIABILITY IN METHYL SOYATE OF MICROBIAL CONTAMINANTS FROM FARM FUEL-STORAGE TANKS

Biodiesel is a renewable, environmentally sound alternative fuel deriv ed from vegetable oils and animal fats. Microbial contamination is a k nown problem with diesel fuel. The susceptibility of methyl soyate or its blends with diesel fuel to microbial growth has not been investiga ted Bacillus species including two B. cereus strains were identified a s problem-causing microorganisms in diesel fuel samples collected from agricultural diesel fuel storage tanks. Growth of these microorganism s was inhibited by methyl soyate. Inoculated bacteria were not viable in methyl soyate or in 20/80, 50/50, and 80/20% methyl soyate/diesel f uel blend samples after 8 weeks of storage. In contrast, bacterial cou nts increased significantly (P <0.05) in both distilled water control and diesel fuel samples after 8 weeks of storage.