Use of Genetically Engineered Microbes, Genetic Engineering, Microorganisms, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Glycolipid Emulsifier

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	Use of Genetically Engineered Microbes In recent years, using genetic engineering, oil utilizing microorganisms have been successfully produced, which would grow rapidly on oil. For instance, many oil utilizing microorganisms may produce surface active compounds that can emulsify oil in water and thus facilitate removal of oil.
For developing this attribute, a strain of Pseudomnas aeruginosa was developed by Ananda Chakrabarty (USA), which produced a glycolipids emulsifier, that reduced the surface tension of an oil-water interface and thus helped in removal of oil from water. This microbial emulsifier was non-toxic and biodegradable, thus being ecologically sound. It was demonstrated by laboratory experiments that his microbial surfactant released oil to an extent of 2 to 3 times that by water alone. Such genetically modified strains could not be tested in the field for removing the oil, due to the debate concerning the release of genetically engineered microorganisms in an open environment.
The use of genetically engineered microbes for cleaning spilled oils will also be facilitated by mixing the microbe with straw, which can be stored. When needed, the straw with mixed microbes can be scattered over the spilled oil, so that the straw will first soak oily water and then the microbe will break up the oil into harmless, non-polluting materials, rendering the water and the site harmless.