# US 10,501,351 B2 · Composition and methods of use > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,501,351 B2 - Document ID: US10501351B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/850,381 - Filed: 2017-12-21 - Published: 2018-07-12 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-15 - Applicants: Janet Angel - Inventors: Janet Angel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10501351B2 ## CPC - C02F 3/34: characterised by the microorganisms used - B09C 1/00: Reclamation of contaminated soil - B09C 1/08: chemically - B09C 1/10: microbiologically, {biologically} or by using enzymes - C02F 3/342: {characterised by the enzymes used} - C02F 3/344: {for digestion of mineral oil} - C12N 9/94: Pancreatin - B09C 2101/00: In situ - C02F 3/322: {use of algae} - C02F 2101/32: Hydrocarbons, e.g. oil - C02F 2103/007: {Contaminated open waterways, rivers, lakes or ponds} - C02F 2103/08: Seawater, e.g. for desalination - C02F 2305/04: Surfactants, used as part of a formulation or alone - C02F 2305/06: Nutrients for stimulating the growth of microorganisms - C02F: TREATMENT OF WATER, WASTE WATER, SEWAGE, OR SLUDGE (separation in general B01D; special arrangements on waterborne vessels of installations for treating water, waste water or sewage, e.g. for producing fresh water, B63J; adding materials to water to prevent corrosion C23F; treating radioactively-contaminated liquids G21F9/04; regeneration of reactants for recirculation into processes, see the relevant places for the processes) - B09C: RECLAMATION OF CONTAMINATED SOIL (gatherers for removing stone or the like from the soil A01B43/00; sterilising soil by steam A01G11/00; removing undesirable matter, e.g. rubbish, from the land E01H15/00) - C12N: MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA (microbiological testing media C12Q1/00) ## Abstract Provided herein are compositions and methods that can remove, metabolize, or degrade a hydrocarbon in an area that is contaminated by hydrocarbons. Methods for bioremediation of an area such as an area of land, a body of water, or a shoreline that are contaminated by a hydrocarbon, such as from a crude oil spill are also described. The compositions and methods described herein can be used on natural flora and fauna as well as manmade materials that are contaminated by a hydrocarbon. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for producing biodegradable components from hydrocarbon contamination in an ecosystem wherein said biodegradable components left by biodegradation serve as a nutritional source for the native life in the ecosystem comprising: (a) providing an amount of a composition comprising (i) a microbial component; (ii) an enzymatic component; (iii) an emulsifying component; and (iv) a nutritive component; (b) applying an amount of the composition to said hydrocarbon contamination, wherein applying is performed under conditions that allow the composition to promote in situ biodegradation; and wherein said microbial component comprises a consortium of microbes comprising the bacteria Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliguefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluororescens, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and L. Salivarius bifidum. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises a substrate component. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises by weight percent of the total weight of the composition: about 5-75% microbial component; about 5-25% enzymatic component; about 5-20% emulsifying component; and about 5-30% nutritive component. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises about 5-30% of a substrate component. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises about 5-30% water. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a weight percent of the microbial component from about 40% to about 60%. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a ratio of the amount of the microbial component to the amount of enzymatic component from about 1:1 to about 10:1. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises a ratio of the amount of the microbial component to the amount of combined nutritive and emulsifying components is about 1:1 to about 7:1. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises the microbial, enzymatic, and combined nutritive and emulsifying components in relative amounts, by weight, of about 5:1:2.5, respectively. ### Claim 10 A method for producing biodegradable components from hydrocarbon contamination in an ecosystem comprising: (a) providing an amount of a composition comprising (i) a microbial component; (ii) an enzymatic component; (iii) an emulsifying component; and (iv) a nutritive component; (b) applying an amount of the composition to said hydrocarbon contamination, wherein applying is performed under conditions that allow the composition to promote in situ biodegradation; and wherein said microbial component comprises a consortium of microbes comprising the bacteria Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliguefaciens, Bacillus pumilus, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas fluororescens, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and L. Salivarius bifidum. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein said biodegradable components leave little to no residue in the ecosystem. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein any residue left by biodegradation serves as a nutritional source for the native life in the ecosystem. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the composition further comprises a substrate component. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises by weight percent of the total weight of the composition: about 5-75% microbial component; about 5-25% enzymatic component; about 5-20% emulsifying component; and about 5-30% nutritive component. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the composition further comprises about 5-30% of a substrate component. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the composition further comprises about 5-30% water. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises a weight percent of the microbial component from about 40% to about 60%. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises a ratio of the amount of the microbial component to the amount of enzymatic component from about 1:1 to about 10:1. ### Claim 19 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises a ratio of the amount of the microbial component to the amount of combined nutritive and emulsifying components is about 1:1 to about 7:1. ### Claim 20 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the composition comprises the microbial, enzymatic, and combined nutritive and emulsifying components in relative amounts, by weight, of about 5:1:2.5, respectively.