Comparative Assessment of Three Fungal Genus in Mycoremediation of Spent Engine Oil: A Brief Review

Abstract

Spent engine oil is composed of various aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, lubricative additives, and traces of heavy metal. Improper disposal of spent engine oil can lead to deleterious effects on humans due to spent engine oil properties, which can exert toxicity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity on cells and organs. The conventional method to remove hydrocarbon in the spent engine oil is not only expensive but unable to degrade the hydrocarbon completely. In comparison, the mycoremediation approach has been reported to be environmentally friendly, efficient, and cost-effective. The main objective of this review article is to identify the fungal isolate which is most efficient to degrade spent engine oil by assessing the biomass production and the percentage of spent engine oil degraded. Based on the comparative information obtained, Mucor sp. showed the highest biomass production in the presence of spent engine oil. Trichoderma sp. and Aspergillus niger were found to have average biomass production and it depending on the strain and incubation period. Both A. flavus and A. nidulans were found to have the lowest biomass production. In terms of spent engine oil degradation, Mucor sp, Trichoderma sp. and A. niger showed >55% degradation as compared to A. flavus and A. nidulans which have less than 50% degradation. Therefore, from the results of the study, it can be concluded that Mucor sp. has the best potential to degrade spent engine oil within a short period based on the high biomass production and percentage of degradation. The comparative data also suggest that by selecting the right strain and right incubation period, the percentage of spent engine oil degradation by using Trichoderma sp. and A. niger could also increase.