Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

Environmental pollution caused byoil spills and tank leaks have been a major concern to the modern society. Thus, this study proposed to isolate and characterize microorganisms with biodegradation ability of petroleum hydrocarbons fractions in terrestrial environment. Nineteen (19) isolates were recovered from petroleum Impacted soils, which were analyzed by modified Bartha`srespirometric method for microbial activity by the generation of carbon dioxide and expressing the biodegradation ability of soil contaminants.The study was conducted in three assays. In the first trial, the whole biodegradability of 19 isolates was assessed using sand vermiculite as inert substrate and petroleum mix as carbon source. The best four (4) isolates from these assays were assessed for petroleum hydrocarbon fractions (ABCD) generating a 16 treatments with 3 replications. The superior strains for four petroleum fractions were assessed for petroleum fraction biodegradability by using a sandy loam soil. The tested strains showed high potential for biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons according the soil type. The analysis was performed by degradation of release of carbon dioxide generated by bacteria in the respirometric system. Data were adjusted to calculate the proposed rate of biodegradation by biodegradation kinetics. Values up to 62% biodegradation were observed hydrocarbons over a period of 15 days, whereas other tested models showed slower biodegradation rates. It is concluded that higher biodegradation rates were achieved when autochthones microorganisms were isolated and directed used in the petroleum fractions biodegradation.

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