BACKGROUND
Microbial contamination of hydrocarbon fuels is a serious problem that can lead to costly and dangerous operational problems in fuel storage and engine systems. Bacteria and fungi can cause deterioration of fuels through several mechanisms, including an accumulation of biomass, degradation of protective additives, and production of corrosive metabolic byproduct. Travel stops and fueling stations have experienced costs in the hundreds of millions due to microbial contaminants in diesel since the recent changes in fuel composition, introduction of biodiesel mixtures, reduction of sulfur levels, and increased use of additives. For example, Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores spends ~$200,000 annually on biocides to treat diesel and biodiesel blends in their fuel tanks as preventative maintenance for microbial contamination and fuel tank corrosion. However, this has created a biocidal resistance (i.e., super bugs). Thus, there is a critical need to design and synthesize new potent antimicrobials for the fuel industry that has a broad biocidal spectrum with several modes of action mechanisms to prevent microbial resistance over time.
SUMMARY OF TECHNOLOGY
OSU researchers are developing a eumelanin-inspired compound to act as an antifungal and antimicrobial agent in diesel/biodiesel blends which will overcome many current problems associated with current biocides used in fuel. Preliminary results show successful antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive bacteria and fungi, including antibiotic resistant species, with relatively low concentrations (~16 µg/mL). Current research into the microbes infesting diesel tanks will lead to more specific synthesized compounds to combat them, saving the fuel industry millions of dollars per year.
POTENTIAL AREAS OF APPLICATION
MAIN ADVANTAGES
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT
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