Aspergillus niger Strain AM1 as an Agent for Biodegradation of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

The biodegradation of petroleum by Aspergillus niger strain AM1 VKM F-4815D is studied. Visual observation and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that petroleum undergoes partial destruction, but cannot serve as the only source of carbon: the culture medium must contain glucose. An interesting fact is the change in consistency and hardening of petroleum under the influence of A. niger. This allows us to consider the possibility of using the strain for bioremediation of soils and waters contaminated with petroleum. No less interesting is that even earlier the strain was found to be able to metabolize a number of toxic phosphorus compounds, including even white and red phosphorus. However, most organic solvents have a noticeable toxic effect, slowing growth in the presence of glucose and not becoming sources of carbon in the absence of glucose.