Numerical modelling of petroleum oil bioremediation by a local Penicillium isolate as affected with culture conditions [electronic resource]: application of Plackett-Burman design.

Includes references.

Plackett-Burman experimental design, based on numerical modelling, has been applied to evaluate the significance of culture conditions affecting petroleum oil bioremediation by newly isolated Penicillium sp. Ten variables through 13 trials were studied simultaneously, namely, ammonium sulphate, urea, potassium phosphate dibasic, casein hydrolysate, yeast extract, spore suspension concentration, sodium chloride, trace elements solution, temperature and pH, to elucidate their effect and significance on petroleum degradation percentage. Several factors affected the bioremediation process positively, while others have negative effects on oil bioremediation. Based on petroleum weight loss calculations, potassium phosphate dibasic, casein, yeast extract, pH, trace elements and spore suspension volume promoted the petroleum oil removal by Penicillium sp., whereas ammonium sulphate, urea and temperature were found to inhibit its removal from the medium. On the other hand, with respect to aliphatic hydrocarbon degradation, it was found that all other factors except potassium phosphate dibasic, pH, trace element and temperature contributed negatively in the aliphatic hydrocarbon degradation. Key words: Petroleum bioremediation, Penicillium sp., Plackett-Burman design.

Summary in Arabic.

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