Dr Eng. Wojciech Smułek from the Department of Organic Chemistry of the Poznan University of Technology, as the leading author, received the scientific II degree prize of the Polish Society of Microbiologists, for the article “Sapindus saponins,impact on hydrocarbon, biodegradation by bacteria strains after short- and long-term contact with pollutant”.

Publication, co-authored by: Agata Zdarta; Piotr Krawczyk; Teofil Jesionowski and Ewa Kaczorek, presents interdisciplinary research including microbiology, physicochemistry and environmental engineering.

The collected results allow for more effective designing of bioremediation processes of areas contaminated with petroleum derivatives. In addition, the effects of previous studies point to the high potential of plant extracts containing saponins as natural surfactants.