Reduction of oil and grease by fungi isolated from palm oil mill effluent (POME)

Abstract

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) is undoubtedly the largest waste generated from the oil extraction process. The present study was undertaken to investigate the potential ability of fungal strains isolated from POME in reducing oily matter in POME. Identification of isolates was performed by determining nucleotide sequences of 18S rRNA genes for fungi. The isolates were identified by sequences analysis of 18S rRNA genes. Sequencing of the 18S rRNA of the isolates suggested that they were identified as Aspergillus fumigatus 107PF, Aspergillus nomius 108PF, Aspergillus niger 109PF and Meyerozyma guilliermondii 110PF. All identified fungal strains were screened for lipid hydrolysis on solid media by plate assay. Aspergillus fumigatus 107PF and Aspergillus niger 109PF showed moderate lipase activity while Aspergillus nomius 108PF and Meyerozyma guilliermondii 110PF were negative for lipase activity. Biodegradation potential and growth profile of the fungal isolates were conducted in Mineral Salt Medium (MSM) liquid medium containing 1% (v/v) of palm oil as sole source of carbon and was incubated at 28°C for 7 days. The strains 107PF and 109PF showed comparable, good and high rate of growth in liquid MSM. Results revealed that oil and grease was reduced remarkably with treatments after 7 days. The strain Aspergillus niger 109PF with oil and grease reduction efficiency of 89.13% was the most effective and can be used for bioremediation of environment contaminated with polluted wastewaters.