Oileating
Oileating, commonly written as oil-eating, refers to the ability of certain organisms to metabolize hydrocarbons found in crude oil and refined petroleum products. This capacity is most widely studied in bacteria and fungi, which can use hydrocarbons as sources of carbon and energy. In natural environments such as oceans and soils, oil-degrading microorganisms can form communities that gradually break down spilled oil through enzymatic processes, contributing to natural attenuation and offering a basis for bioremediation strategies.
The degradation of oil relies on a suite of enzymes that introduce oxygen into hydrocarbon molecules, enabling
Ecology and applications: In oil-contaminated environments, microbial communities adapt and expand as nutrients become available. Bioremediation
Limitations and considerations: The rate and extent of oil degradation depend on oil composition (lower molecular
In summary, oileating describes a functional capability of microorganisms to transform oil hydrocarbons, underpinning natural attenuation