Biopolymer production by Aureobasidium mangrovei SARA-138H and its potential for oil recovery enhancement.

The world economy depends heavily on crude oil. With a conventional oil recovery process, only one-third of crude oil is extracted. Various technologies have been developed to maximize the recovery of oil resources from natural reservoirs.

Direct and indirect effects of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the decomposition of leaf litter in streams.

As the production of metallic nanoparticles has grown, it is important to assess their impacts on structural and functional components of ecosystems. We investigated the effects of zinc and titanium nanoparticles on leaf decomposition in freshwater habitats. We hypothesized that nanoparticles would inhibit the growth and activity of microbial communities leading to decreased decomposition rates.

Analysis of Bacterial Diversity in Different Heavy Oil Wells of a Reservoir in South Oman with Alkaline pH.

The identification of potential hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria is an essential requirement in microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). Molecular approaches like proteomic and genomic characterization of the isolates are replacing the traditional method of identification with systemic classification. Genotypic profiling of the isolates includes fingerprint or pattern-based technique and sequence-based technique.

Draft Genome Sequence of AS2, a Heavy Crude Oil-Degrading and Biosurfactant-Producing Bacterium Isolated from a Soil Sample.

Here, we report the draft genome sequence of AS2 that was isolated from heavy crude oil-contaminated soil samples from sludge pits of an Omani heavy-oil field. AS2 was able to biodegrade heavy crude oil and produce biosurfactant. In order to provide a better understanding of the biodegradation mechanism and biosynthesis of metabolites, the AS2 genome was sequenced and compared to those of other strains.

The potential of indigenous Paenibacillus ehimensis BS1 for recovering heavy crude oil by biotransformation to light fractions.

Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery (MEOR) is a potential technology for residual heavy oil recovery. Many heavy oil fields in Oman and elsewhere have difficulty in crude oil recovery because it is expensive due to its high viscosity. Indigenous microbes are capable of improving the fluidity of heavy oil, by changing its high viscosity and producing lighter oil fractions.

Production, Characterization, and Application of W16 Biosurfactant in Enhancing Oil Recovery.

The biosurfactant production by W16 and evaluation of biosurfactant based enhanced oil recovery (EOR) using core-flood under reservoir conditions were investigated. Previously reported nine different production media were screened for biosurfactant production, and two were further optimized with different carbon sources (glucose, sucrose, starch, cane molasses, or date molasses), as well as the strain was screened for biosurfactant production during the growth in different media. The biosurfactant reduced the surface tension and interfacial tension to 24.

Sophorolipids Production by Candida bombicola ATCC 22214 and its Potential Application in Microbial Enhanced Oil Recovery.

Biosurfactant production using Candida bombicola ATCC 22214, its characterization and potential applications in enhancing oil recovery were studied at laboratory scale. The seed media and the production media were standardized for optimal growth and biosurfactant production. The production media were tested with different carbon sources: glucose (2%w/v) and corn oil (10%v/v) added separately or concurrently.

Microbial enhanced heavy crude oil recovery through biodegradation using bacterial isolates from an Omani oil field.

Background: Biodegradation is a cheap and environmentally friendly process that could breakdown and utilizes heavy crude oil (HCO) resources. Numerous bacteria are able to grow using hydrocarbons as a carbon source; however, bacteria that are able to grow using HCO hydrocarbons are limited. In this study, HCO degrading bacteria were isolated from an Omani heavy crude oil field.

Biosurfactant production by Bacillus subtilis B30 and its application in enhancing oil recovery.

The fermentative production of biosurfactants by Bacillus subtilis strain B30 and the evaluation of biosurfactant based enhanced oil recovery using core-flood were investigated. Different carbon sources (glucose, sucrose, starch, date molasses, cane molasses) were tested to determine the optimal biosurfactant production. The isolate B30 produced a biosurfactant that could reduce the surface tension and interfacial tension to 26.

Aflatoxin B1 contamination of traditionally processed peanuts butter for human consumption in Sudan.

A survey was carried out to detect the presence of aflatoxin B(1) in 60 duplicated samples (120 samples) of peanuts butter purchased from the local markets and other traditionally prepared and distributed by the street sellers in Khartoum state, Sudan. AflaTest-P affinity column was used to extract the toxin from the samples, and the concentration was measured by calibrated Vicam fluorometer. Aflatoxin B(1) was detected at variable levels in 100% of the screened samples.

Biodegradation of crude oil and n-alkanes by fungi isolated from Oman.

Ten fungal species isolated from tar balls collected from the beaches of Oman were tested for their abilities to grow and degrade n-alkanes and crude oil. The abilities of Aspergillus niger, A. ochraceus and Penicillium chrysogenum to degrade n-alkanes (C13-C18), crude oil were compared and their mycelial biomass was measured.

Fungi and aflatoxins associated with spices in the Sultanate of Oman.

One hundred and five samples of seven spices (cumin, cinnamon, clove, black pepper, cardamom, ginger, and coriander) were purchased from five popular companies in the Sultanate of Oman. The spices were surveyed for the mycoflora and aflatoxins. Twenty fungal species were isolated in which Aspergillus flavus, A.

First report of Albizia lebbeck dieback caused by Scytalidium dimidiatum in Oman.

Over 200 Albizia lebbeck trees at Sultan Qaboos University campus wilted and died. The symptoms were dieback of large branches due to infection by Scytalidium dimidiatum. The fungus has also infected Ficus benghalensis, F.