Isolation and Characterization of Microorganisms for Degradation of Minimal Oils and Fats at Low Temperatures

The isolation of microorganisms for biodegradation of minimal fats and oils at low temperatures was reported. By using rapeseed oil as a sole carbon source, six strains were isolated from five kinds of oils/fats-contaminated wastewater, soil, and active sludge. Among them, two strains which show the highest oil removal ratios were identified as Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes and Pseudornonas mendocina, respectively. The experiments of orthogonal impact conditions show that the optimal oil degradation condition is at pH 8.0, 5 C and 100 mg/L oil. Under this condition, the rapeseed oil degradation ratios of two strains after 24 hours amount to 92. 6% and 92.0% respectively, whereas the removal ratios of lard decrease to 39.5% and 54.3%.