Give Companies Marketing Oil Eating Bacteria a Chance in Gulf Oil Spill Clean Up

There are a number of companies that specialize in production of hydrocarbon-eating microbes for use in bioremediation of oil spills. For example, Clift Industries, Inc. markets a blend of a dozen microbial strains, enzymes and nutrients designed to digest hydrocarbons. Similarly, Alabaster Corp. also sells a blend of naturally occurring, non-pathogenic oil degrading microbes. A number of other companies offer products that accelerate biodegradation by providing the necessary support and stimulation for native microbes to multiply and produce enzymes to speed up the metabolic process of biodegradation. For example, Universal Remediation Inc. sells miniature spheres comprised of bee’s wax and soy wax, which encapsulate oil and allow bacteria to break it down. BioNutraTech markets a biostimulant composite particle that can accelerate biodegradation by providing the necessary nutrients for native microbes.