Lipase production potentials of autochthonous bacterial species associated with waxy crude oil

Wax deposition is one of the problems of flow assurance. As a result, operational and remedial costs rise while oil output declines. One of thenovel mitigation measures is the use of pour point depressants such as lipase. The study evaluated the lipase producing potentials of autochthonous bacterial species associated with waxy crude. Four bacterial species were isolated characterized and identified as Bacillus sp., Bacillus subtilis, Micrococcus sp and pseudomonas aeruginosa. Analysis of the lipase producing potentials of the isolates revealed that P. aeruginosa exhibited the widest halo-zone (1.4 mm) this was followed by B. subtilis (1.1 mm), while Bacillus sp. and Micrococcus sp had a halo zone of 0.9 mm and 0.7 mm respectively (Table 3). The lipase activity of the culture supernatant was measured as the amount of free fatty acids released per ml enzyme solution per min at 37°C at a regular interval of 24 hours. Maximum lipase activity was observed from P. aeruginosa (10.3 + 0.2 U/mL) followed by B. subtilis (9.8 + 1.2 U/mL). The findings have asserted the fact that most lipases identified in microorganisms are secretory extracellular enzymes and can be isolated at high purity and mass produced for wider industrial application.