Development and validation of a biomanufacturing process yielding a bacterial formulation for bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated marine environments

Oil spills are among the most damaging environmental threats to marine ecosystems. To this day, there are
several methods for decontaminating marine sites. However, bioremediation (including the addition of specialized
microorganisms) is often the best solution from an efficiency and eco-responsibility point of view. However, an
important limitation remains regarding the application of this approach, namely the production, formulation and
dispersion of the added microorganisms in the affected areas.
Alcanivorax borkumensis is a marine bacterium specialized in the biodegradation of oil and its population in the
affected ecosystems increases following an oil spill, making it a microorganism of choice for the bioremediation
of marine ecosystems contaminated by hydrocarbons. Adding high concentrations of this bacterium will greatly
accelerate bioremediation.
Thus, the objective of this project is to develop a process that will produce this bacterium in a highly viable form,
thus, leading to high biodegradation rates following its addition to the contaminated marine sites.

Faculty Supervisor:

Patrick Vermette;Denis Groleau

Student:

Partner:

Proventus Bioscience Inc.

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

Université de Sherbrooke

Program: