PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

K Poremba

Publications and source records attributed to K Poremba.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Influence of synthetic and biogenic surfactants on the toxicity of water-soluble fractions of hydrocarbons in sea water determined with the bioluminescence inhibition test.

The influence of increasing amounts of surfactants on the toxicity of hydrocarbons was determined using the bioluminescence inhibition test (Microtox test). Three biogenic and three synthetic surfactants were tested against the water-soluble fractions (WSF) of crude and weathered Ekofisk oil, phenol, and naphthalene. Surfactant concentrations below 100 mg litre(-1) lowered the toxicity of the WSF, indicating an antagonistic interaction reducing the toxicities of surfactants and hydrocarbons. At concentrations greater than 100 mg litre(-1) the toxicity rose again and was higher than the untreated WSF. The point of reversal seemed to be the critical micelle concentration, at which the formation of oil/water emulsions is possible.

Journal Article↗

Marine biosurfactants, III. Toxicity testing with marine microorganisms and comparison with synthetic surfactants.

Eight synthetic and nine biogenetic surfactants were tested on their toxicity. Because of their possible application as oil dispersants against oil slicks on sea, the test organisms used were marine microorganisms (mixed and pure cultures of bacteria, microalgae, and protozoa). Bacterial growth was hardly effected or stimulated, whilst that of algae and flagellates was reduced. All substances tested were biodegraded in sea water. The bioluminescence of Photobacter phosphoreum (Microtox test) was the most sensitive test system used. A ranking shows that most biogenetic surfactants were less toxic than synthetic surfactants. No toxicity could be detected with the glucose-lipid GL, produced by the marine bacterium Alcaligenes sp. MM1.

Animals↗