Biodegradation ofVernonia galamensis seed Oil byAcinetobacter andPseudomonas sp.

The biodegradability of Vernonia galamensis seed oil (VO) has been demonstrated with two environmental bacterial strains, Acinetobacter Iwoffi (HU 3955), and Pseudomonas sp. (HU 4020). A time‐dependent increase in the degradative activities of both bacteria species was apparent. There was ca. 60% decrease in the amount of VO over an eightday incubation period. Additionally, lipolytic activity was evident from the amount of free fatty acid (FFA) that was generated. The percent FFA of the residual oil were 82% for the Pseudomonas strain, and 62% for the Acinetobacter strain. The weight per epoxy value of the VO in the fermentation medium remained relatively constant over the incubation period, suggesting the lack of preference for either the epoxidized or nonepoxidized acids present in VO.