Publications

Biocorrosion is induced by the formation of biofilms, an adherent structure of microorganism along with extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) overlaid on the surface of pipelines. The growth of anaerobic sulfate reducing bacteria (SRB) was induced inside the biofilm that produces pitting corrosion. Chemical biocides such as gluteraldehides are widely used to control the growth of SRB. However the use of such chemicals is restricted due to its properties which are highly toxic for the environment. A new method for biofilm growth inhibition is introduced in this study by utilizing antimicrobial biosurfactant. This research was conducted to find the potential biosurfactant produced by bacteria isolated from oil reservoir which has antimicrobial properties. It would be applied against biofilm-forming bacteria that cause biocorrosion in oil industry pipelines. Various samples of biosurfactant produced by isolated bacteria from two oil reservoirs have been tested for their antibiofilm properties. The test was carried out in 96-wells microtiter plate against the consortium of biofilm-forming bacteria that had been previously isolated from the oil well. As the result, it was found that 15 out of 16 biosurfactant samples produced by indigenous oil reservoir bacteria have the potential to be developed for use as an antibiofilm agent. Keywords: Antimicrobial Biosurfactant, Biocides, Biocorrosion, Biofilm, Indonesian Oil Reservoir Bacteria