Alcanivorax borkumensis

August 22, 2023

Obligately hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (OHCB) survive by consuming hydrocarbons as a sole carbon and energy source.
These marine bacteria play an integral role in the bioremediation of spilled petroleum worldwide.
Alcanivorax borkumensis (or Alca), an aerobic and rod-shaped OHBC that feasts on organic acids and alkanes, bloom during oil spills to exploit the hydrocarbons contained within crude oil.
“Oil-eating” Alcanivorax borkumensis bacteria form “dendritic” biofilms that reshape oil droplets, and increase the surface area to speed up the rate of consumption.