Thailand — the source of quality and diverse microorganisms

To accelerate the biodegradation process, effective oil-eating microbes must be used in sufficient quantities. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onruthai explained that microorganisms are already present in the environment, but may not be sufficient or effective. To increase the number of microbes, they must first be developed into bioproducts or products so that they perform well in certain environments, and have long shelf life while retaining the same efficiency and quantity. university thailand

“Thailand is considered to have high biodiversity both in the sea and other areas. It is a good source of microorganisms that have the properties to degrade various types of pollutants and petroleum. Therefore, our work started with the search for effective microorganisms from many different sources until we can develop them into products.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Onruthai further explains that in foreign countries, one requirement for oil transport is that there must always be a product to remove oil residue on board ready for use in the event of an oil spill. However, in Thailand, there is only one such product on the market as compared to other countries with a wide range of options. Also, a product manufactured abroad may not be most effective for Thailand’s unique environment.

“The microbes we use are microorganisms selected from nature using a specialized selection process. The food source for these microbes are pollutants that can be harmful to humans and animals, but the microbes have enzymes that can digest those pollutants and use them as energy sources without being poisoned. This also includes other microorganisms that help protect microbes, such as microorganisms that make biofilms or microbes that make bio-surfactants allowing easier access to the pollutants.”

In most cases, these microorganisms can be found at sources that have previously been contaminated with those pollutants or in areas with high biodiversity, such as sediments from the sea, sediments from mangroves forests, as well as water or soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons.