MICROBIAL-DEGRADATION OF RESINS FRACTIONATED FROM ARABIAN LIGHT CRUDE-OIL

Sediment samples from Japanese coasts were screened for microorganisms able to degrade resin components of crude oil, and a mixed population that could degrade 35% of 5000 ppm resin in 15 days was obtained. Thi s population also metabolized 50% of saturates and aromatics present i n crude oil (5000 ppm) in 7 days. A Pseudomonas sp, isolated from the mixed population emulsified and degraded 30% of resins. This strain al so degraded saturates and aromatics (30%) present in crude oil (5000 p pm). This is the first report describing organisms that are able to gr ow on the resin fraction of crude oil as a sole source of carbon and e nergy.