Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

As BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes) contamination in soil and ground water system causes extensive damages to the public health and environment, several methods have been developed to remediate BTEX contaminated sites. Among them, bioremediation has been identified as an effective and environmental friendly alternative. In this study, a novel BTEX-degrading bacteria, named SBS1-7, was isolated from a seabed sludge sample via an enrichment technique. Based on biochemical characteristics and comparison of 16s rDNA sequences, the strain SBS1-7 was identified as Microbacterium esteraromaticum . SBS1-7 was able to degrade all BTEX components presented as an individual component as well as BTEX mixture, except ethylbenzene which was degraded only in BTEX mixture. Thus far, there was no previous report on BTEX biodegradation by M. esteraromaticum . Further investigation revealed that supplementation of yeast extract resulted in a slower BTEX degradation by this strain.

Biography

Sansanee Khiawjan received her Bachelor?s Degree in Biotechnology from Mahidol University in 2011. She is currently pursuing a Master?s Degree in Biotechnology at Mahidol University under the supervision of Asst. Prof. Dr. Thunyarat Pongtharangkul.