Isolation of Microorganisms for Use in the Biodegradation of Oil Saturated Spent Kapok (Ceiba pentandra ( L.) Gaertn.) Fiber Based Sorbents

Accidental or intentional discharge of petroleum hydrocarbon through drains, storage leaks, and maritime accidents, into the marine ecosystem have become an issue of major global concern in developing, and densely populated countries like the Philippines. Currently, synthetic sorbents made of polyurethane, polyethylene, or polypropylene are widely utilized for clean-up efforts. However, they are non-biodegradable and exhibit logistical issues and delays associated with secondary contamination, retrieval, and disposal. Fibers of Kapok ( Ceiba pentandra (L.) Gaertn.) locally known as buboi or buboy and doldol are considered an effective yet biodegradable sorbent. In ex-situ bioremediation, spent kapok sorbents are utilized as the lignocellulosic component and mixed with soil and other organic matter to create the composting material. Bacteria (coded as O_3, O_4, O_6, O_8, KH_7, and KH_27) and fungal isolate (10B) able to degrade oil saturated kapok fiber were isolated. Qualitative screening assays showed remarkable results for the production of cellulase, laccase, and lipase enzymes for all the cultures which are needed in the degradation of lignocellulosic kapok and the residual oil/lipid. Identification of the isolates thru 16S r RNA gene sequencing is on-going. Ex situ bioremediation technique for the treatment and disposal of used kapok sorbents can alleviate the burden of spent sorbent management and minimize the environmental impacts associated with the disposal of currently used sorbents.