@article { author = {Binazadeh, Mojtaba and Li, Zhi and Karimi, Iftekhar A.}, title = {Optimization of Biodegradation of Long Chain n-Alkanes by Rhodococcus sp. Moj-3449 Using Response Surface Methodology}, journal = {Physical Chemistry Research}, volume = {8}, number = {1}, pages = {45-59}, year = {2020}, publisher = {Iranian Chemical Society}, issn = {2322-5521}, eissn = {2345-2625}, doi = {10.22036/pcr.2019.204077.1682}, abstract = {Oil spills and subsequent pollution of marine ecosystems are associated with oil exploitation. The ultimate fate of unrecoverable portion of spilled oil is biodegradation by microorganisms. Rhodococcus sp. Moj-3449 has proven ability of growth on aliphatic hydrocarbons. In this study Response Surface Methodology was employed to optimize the biodegradability of Moj-3449 by changing salinity, pH, temperature and n-C16 concentration. The duplicate experiments conducted were based on a 5-levels rotatable and orthogonal central composite design (CCD) done in 2 separate blocks. The effect of each factor and their interactions on the biodegradation of n-C16 revealed that the optimal conditions for the biodegradation are 0 % salinity at pH= 6.97, T=28°C and 52.98 % wt/V n-C16 concentration. Under these conditions, the maximum biodegraded amount was predicted at 45.52 % wt/V out of 52.98 % wt/V. The experimentally obtained biodegradation amount at the optimum condition was 44.27 ±0.07 % wt/V. The ability of the strain to effectively break down long-chain n-alkanes at concentration up to 55 % wt/V shows at that this strain is an outstanding candidate for industrial bioremediation of crude oil spills in marine environment.}, keywords = {Biodegradation,Bioremediation,Long chain n-alkanes,Crude oil degradation,Response Surface Methodology}, url = {https://www.physchemres.org/article_97339.html}, eprint = {https://www.physchemres.org/article_97339_7e6135dad02863adc2dd125379827606.pdf} }