ABSTRACT
There is no doubt that the biodegradative potential of microbial aSSOCIatIOns is greatcr than that of individual microorganisms, because the combination of different catabolic capabilities allows the achicvemcnt ofaxenobiotic mincralization completeness that is inaccessible to pure cultures 11-71. Therefore, the most complete degradation of such multicomponent substrates as crude petroleum and mineral oils can be expected by using consortia of microorganisms.
