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Bacterial contamination during fuel storage can lead to fuel biodegradation (biodeterioration) or infrastructure problems (i.e., microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), biofouling, etc.). Jet A-1 storage tank samples were screened, and 23 morphologically distinct bacterial strains were isolated. 6 isolates revealed biofilm initiation capacity. For 12 isolates the alkane monooxygenase gene (alkB) was successfully detected. The 12 alkB-possessing isolates were 16S rDNA sequences identified as belonging to Bradyrhizobium, Sphingomonas, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Methylobacterium and Lelliottia genera. In addition to possessing enzymatic equipment (AlkB) required for alkane oxidation, 10 out of 12 isolates were able to use Jet A-1 and n-tetradecane as their sole carbon source and energy. Biofilm initiation capacity and the ability to grow on different hydrocarbons highlights once again that fuel bacterial contamination can lead to serious fuel and storage system alterations. In contrast, their adaptation to high concentrations of hydrocarbons highlights the potential use of our isolates for bioremediation processes.

Modern society's demand for petroleum and its derivatives is constantly increasing, leading to anthropogenic pollution with a great variety of xenobiotic compounds, mostly due to processing, transportation and improper stocking. Thus, all types of ecosystems can be compromised, endangering human well-being as well as wildlife and plants, the last one having a main role in the living world [1]. Plants perform many ecological functions in their environment, shaping the life of all living things that become directly or indirectly dependent on plants [2, 3]. The ability of plants to fulfil their functions primarily depend on the appropriate climatic and edaphic conditions [4]. Therefore, the complex structure of soil alongside the biological and biochemical processes mediated by microorganisms represent the basis of a terrestrial ecosystem, as well as its relationship with plants [5-7].