Extremely-halotolerant bacterial consortium for the biodegradation of crude oil in saline environments

Results of the application of a novel bacterial consortium extremely-halotolerant for the biodegradation of crude oil using free and immobilized cell systems, in media with salinities ranged from zero to 220 g/L, are described. Its effectiveness increased when the cells were immobilized on polyurethane foam, polypropylene fibers, scourers and Celatom and the salinity of the culture medium surpassed 20 g/L. Four of the microorganisms belonging to the consortium grew in media with salinities varying from zero to 320 g/L and are amongst the most halotolerant microorganisms described up to now