Abstract
Hydrocarbons can cause pollution to Antarctic terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, both through accidental release and the discharge of waste cooking oil in grey water. Such pollutants can persist for long periods in cold environments. The native microbial community may play a role in their biodegradation. In this study, using mixed native Antarctic bacterial communities, several environmental factors influencing biodegradation of waste canola oil (WCO) and pure canola oil (PCO) were optimised using established one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) and response surface methodology (RSM) approaches. The factors include salinity, pH, type of nitrogen and concentration, temperature, yeast extract and initial substrate concentration in OFAT and only the significant factors proceeded for the statistical optimisation through RSM. High concentration of substrate targeted for degradation activity through RSM compared to OFAT method. As for the result, all factors were significant in PBD, while only 4 factors were significant in biodegradation of PCO (pH, nitrogen concentration, yeast extract and initial substrate concentration). Using OFAT, the most effective microbial community examined was able to degrade 94.42% and 86.83% (from an initial concentration of 0.5% (v/v)) of WCO and PCO, respectively, within 7 days. Using RSM, 94.99% and 79.77% degradation of WCO and PCO was achieved in 6 days. The significant interaction for the RSM in biodegradation activity between temperature and WCO concentration in WCO media were exhibited. Meanwhile, in biodegradation of PCO the significant factors were between (1) pH and PCO concentration, (2) nitrogen concentration and yeast extract, (3) nitrogen concentration and PCO concentration. The models for the RSM were validated for both WCO and PCO media and it showed no significant difference between experimental and predicted values. The efficiency of canola oil biodegradation achieved in this study provides support for the development of practical strategies for efficient bioremediation in the Antarctic environment.
Highlights
The use of edible oils, in particular different types of vegetable oil, has increased by at least a million metric tonnes per year worldwide over the last 10 years [1]
It is generally known that cooking oil can be utilised as a heat transfer medium and contributes flavour and texture to foods due to its chemical properties
This study aims to optimise the growth and conditions of Antarctic bacterial consortia for waste canola oil (WCO) and pure canola oil (PCO) degradation
Summary
The use of edible oils, in particular different types of vegetable oil, has increased by at least a million metric tonnes per year worldwide over the last 10 years [1]. It is generally known that cooking oil can be utilised as a heat transfer medium and contributes flavour and texture to foods due to its chemical properties. The disposal of waste cooking oil into the sewage system and the natural environment is routine and could cause an unpleasant odour in the surroundings, where oxidative degradation of canola oil (waste) produces several volatile products that cause the soil to give off an unpleasant odour. Threats to the environment are exacerbated by the presence of toxic organic compounds, such as acrylamide, aldehyde and 4-hydroxymethylfurfural which are formed in heated cooking oil and are known to have mutagenic and carcinogenic effects [3,4]. Vegetable oil can lead to a devastating physical effect on organisms in the environment and destroy future and existing food supplies, along with breeding animals and their habitats
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
