Influence of peanut oil on microbial degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

Peanut oil amendment (0.1%-0.2% (v/v)) increased the biodegradation of various polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by 15%-80% with a mixed bacterial culture and a pure culture of Comamonas testosteroni in aqueous media and in PAH-contaminated weathered soil slurry systems. The stimulatory effect on biodegradation was more pronounced with the high molecular weight PAHs (e.g., >3 rings). The presence of peanut oil also accelerated the biodegradation of PAHs sorbed onto activated carbon, indicating its potential application in the bioregeneration of activated carbon.