Banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO: FRANCISCO BRUNO FERREIRA DE FREITAS

Uma banca de QUALIFICAÇÃO de DOUTORADO foi cadastrada pelo programa.
STUDENT : FRANCISCO BRUNO FERREIRA DE FREITAS
DATE: 21/07/2025
TIME: 14:30
LOCAL: Via Google Meet
TITLE:

BIOREMEDIATION OF PETROLEUM-DERIVED CONTAMINANTS USING IMMOBILIZED MICROORGANISMS

KEY WORDS:

Biodegradation; Spill; Immobilization; Metabolism; Toxicity

PAGES: 58
BIG AREA: Engenharias
AREA: Engenharia Química
SUBÁREA: Processos Industriais de Engenharia Química
SPECIALTY: Processos Bioquímicos
SUMMARY:

The increasing exploration and transportation of oil and its derivatives significantly increases the risk of environmental accidents, such as leaks and spills, which seriously impact terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Bioremediation, using microorganisms with degradative capacity, has shown to be a promising alternative, especially when associated with the cell immobilization technique, which allows greater stability, reuse of biomass and application in bioreactors. In this context, this thesis aims to evaluate the efficiency of different forms of bacterial immobilization in the degradation of petroleum-derived contaminants, aiming to develop biotechnological systems applicable to bioremediation. Initially, the production and characterization of biosurfactants will be carried out by the selected bacteria (Gordonia amicalis - CBMAI 1670; Marinobacter nauticus - CBMAI 832; Microbacterium hydrocarbonoxydans - CBMAI 828; Pseudomonas aeruginosa - 550 VIIA AP-29). The bacteria will then be immobilized in three different matrices (corncob, polyurethane foam, and encapsulation in sodium alginate), allowing a comparison between the different forms of microbial application. Biodegradation tests will be conducted in microcosms containing gasoline, diesel, and crude oil, with degradation rate monitoring by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Variables such as pH, bacterial growth, cellular metabolism, and activity of possible enzymes that will be produced (Laccase, manganese peroxidase, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase and 2,3-dioxygenase, and peroxidase) will also be evaluated. The toxicity of post-biodegradation residues will be evaluated by bioassays using Artemia salina; the byproducts formed during degradation will be identified by the aforementioned chromatographic techniques. Additionally, the proposal foresees the use of fractional experimental designs to optimize degradation conditions and statistically validate the results obtained. The expected results will contribute to the advancement of bioremediation technologies and the application of immobilized systems in the treatment of water contaminated by petroleum derivatives.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Presidente - 1346198 - EVERALDO SILVINO DOS SANTOS
Interno - ***.656.434-** - CARLOS EDUARDO DE ARAÚJO PADILHA - UFRN
Interna - 3214434 - NATHALIA SARAIVA RIOS
Externo ao Programa - 3646062 - CARLOS ALFREDO GALINDO BLAHA - UFRN