Hydrocarbon degradation potential by soil bacteria using vapour-phase and spectrophotometric methods

Abstract

Crude and refined oil contamination is inevitable is oil producing communities. The attendant effects of environmental degradation and low crop yield had remain a burden to mankind. Soils from oil polluted areas were assessed microbiologically using vapour phase and spectrophotometric methods. This study assessed bacteria with capabilities of utilizing diesel, toluene and kerosene as sole source of carbon for growth. Culturing and sub-culturing was done in nutrient agar and Bushnell Haas Agar (BHA).Micrococcus luteus, Enterococcus fecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus and Staphylococcus aureus were the predominant microorganisms isolated from the samples locations. The standard plate counts for each source of sample include FA1 (2.80 × 106), FA2 (1.50 ×106), MW1 (3.80 × 106), MW2 (1.7 × 106), FS1 (1.22 × 107), and FS2 (1.30 × 103). Spectrophotometric reading showed visible growth/turbidity in tubes labeled MW1bT, MW1bK, MW1bdD, FS2bD, and FS2bT. The growth of bacteria was observed from visible increase of turbidity and was enumerate by CFU/ml. Among isolates, Bacillus subtilis exhibited relatively higher ability to grow on the three hydrocarbons. Microorganisms have metabolic capabilities to utilize the carbon compounds and degrade them to innocuous by-products. These abilities can be targeted for bioremediation purposes.

Description

This article has tables and figures

Keywords

Spectrophotometric, vapour phase, hydrocarbon degradation, bacteria, Department of Biotechnology

Citation

Azuwike, C. O., Ahumibe, N. C., Mgbemena, I. C., Nwanaforo, M. & Braide, W. (2020). Hydrocarbon degradation potential by soil bacteria using vapour-phase and spectrophotometric methods. International Journal of Advanced Research in Biological Sciences, 7(4), 116 - 125.