Isolation, Screening, and Preliminary Evaluation of Crude Oil-Degrading Bacteria for Environmental Bioremediation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29070/rx2p6m90Keywords:
Bioremediation, hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, petroleum pollution, Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, microbial degradationAbstract
Petroleum pollution remains a major environmental concern due to the stubborn nature and harmful effects of hydrocarbons in contaminated ecosystems. In this study, bacteria native to three petroleum-polluted sites were isolated and evaluated for their ability to break down hydrocarbons. Using enrichment culture methods, a total of 15 bacterial strains were cultivated and subsequently tested for their degradative efficiency on mineral salt medium (MSM) enriched with crude oil. Out of these, three isolates (Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas putida, and Bacillus cereus) demonstrated considerable hydrocarbon degradation, evident from distinct clear zones formed around the colonies. Biochemical profiling revealed positive results for nitrate reduction and gelatin hydrolysis in some strains, whereas urease activity was not observed. Traditional staining methods and morphological assessments were employed to aid in the identification process. Initial degradation trials provided encouraging insights into the biodegradative capabilities of these isolates. Further research will involve optimizing environmental conditions for maximal breakdown and quantifying hydrocarbon degradation using advanced analytical techniques like GC-MS. Overall, this work highlights the usefulness of naturally occurring bacterial strains in developing eco-friendly approaches for the cleanup of petroleum-contaminated environments.
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