Isolation and characterization of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria from oil contaminated Mangrove sediment of Cochin, Kerala, India
Ruveena T N1 , Mannivannan A1*, Luciya Davis2 , Liyana Manaf 2 , Megha P Roy2 , and Lali Growther
1Department of Microbiology, Hindusthan College of Arts & Science, Coimbatore - 641028 (India) 2Department of Microbiology, St Mary’s College, Thrissur - 680020 (India) E.mail: manimb.87@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Petroleum hydrocarbons pose a significant issue because they are commonly found in the environment and can adversely affect various living organisms, including humans. Utilizing biodegradation techniques to restore soil contaminated by crude oil can be an effective approach. The study explored the existence of native microorganisms in mangrove soil sediments polluted with crude oil and examined their potential to break down engine oil and diesel in vitro. From 15 soil samples contaminated with oil along Marine Drive in Cochin, thirteen bacterial strains were isolated. Bacterial identification was done by 16S r RNA sequencing in addition to morphological and biochemical methods. GC–MS was conducted for hydrocarbon degradation analysis. The findings disclosed that the local bacterial isolates possessed a significant ability to degrade crude oil hydrocarbon fractions. The research gives astute observations on the significant capabilities of Klebsiella variicola RUK1 and Bacillus fleuxs RUK3 (Priestia flexa RUK3) for breaking down crude oil hydrocarbons, signifying that they could be developed for use as effective agents in bioremediation for oil clean up.