BEHAVIOR OF MARINE OIL-DEGRADING BACTERIAL-POPULATIONS IN A CONTINUOUS-CULTURE SYSTEM

In pursuit of developing an oil-degrading microbial consortium, we use d the principle of ''plasmid assisted molecular breeding'' (PAMB) in a continuous culture system, Three marine bacteria, Pseudomonas putida, Brevibacterium epidermidis, and Pseudomonas diminuta with distinct co lony traits, growth rates, and crude oil-degrading abilities (75, 74, and 60% respectively at 1% v/v concentration) were examined for change s in densities of different populations as an index of their functiona l role in a continuous culture system. The changes observed in the rat io from 4:2:1 through the experimental period are discussed. Pseudomon as putida increased in number in the first 15 days and declined therea fter with a concomitant 10-fold increase in P. diminuta population as observed on day 24. This reversal in trend of the least dominant strai n evolving as the most predominant one is highlighted, together with t he total oil degradation and emulsifying activity in continuous cultur e.