Bacteria Can Treat Spill, Firm Says

SARASOTA, Fla., May 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Trillions of bacteria might help clean up the Gulf oil spill, a specialized company reports.

Osprey Biotechnics, Inc., a pioneer in breeding beneficial bacteria, says it estimates that 55 gallons of the product it calls Munox would treat 36.5 square miles of Gulf waters. Slightly more than 100 55-gallon drums would cover 4000 square miles.

"Mother Nature will take 100 years or more to clean up this mess," comments Executive Vice President Lauren Danielson of Osprey. "Our bacteria will significantly speed up the process. Upon application, the bacteria will immediately attack the petroleum hydrocarbons and begin degradation."

The company possesses enough cultures to make 170,000 gallons at the moment, and can culture much more, she says.

"The bacteria are safe. They are non-pathogenic strains which consume the oil, digest it, and break it down to harmless products like water and minute amounts of CO2," says Vincent Scuilla, president.

They note that the bacteria can be mixed with a dispersant and will do their work in salt water.

The company breeds a variety of beneficial bacteria for many uses in addition to cleaning up oil.

Osprey serves the agricultural, waste water, and environmental markets.

The company is headquartered at 1833-A 57th St., Sarasota FL 34243. Telephone Lauren Danielson at 941 351 2700 or email [email protected]. Web site is www.ospreybiotechnics.com.

SOURCE Osprey Biotechnics