Effect of Physical Parameters and Amino acids on the Oil degradation Activity of Bacteria Isolated from Oil Contaminated Sites

Abstract

ABSTRACT-Mechanical workshops release huge levels of used engine oil into the surroundings. Many mechanical workshops do not have proper disposal mechanisms and eventually used engine oil reaches the surrounding soil. The hydrocarbons present in used engine oil damage the environment and human health. There are microbes in nature which have the ability to degrade the used engine oil. Such microbes can be isolated and used for the biodegradation of hazardous and recalcitrant hydrocarbons occurring in used engine oil. The present study deals with the four used engine oil degrading bacterial species isolated from oil contaminated sites of mechanical workshops. The bacterial species were Bacillus, Acinetobacter, Pseudomonas and Micrococcus. The optimum pH and temperature on the oil degradation activity of bacterial species were determined. In addition, effect of various amino acids on the oil degradation ability of these bacterial species was studied and best amino acid for oil degrading activity was determined. All the four bacterial species exhibited highest oil degrading activity at pH 7.0. The optimal temperature required for maximum oil degradation activity by Bacillus and Acinetobacter species was 33 0 C and 35 0 C respectively. At 31 0 C Pseudomonas and Micrococcus species had shown maximum oil degradation activity. All the bacterial species had shown enhanced oil degradation activity in methionine supplemented medium. Bacillus species was found to be efficient among all the four species.

Optimization of Growth Parameters of Naphthalene Degrading Bacteria Isolated From Oil Contaminated Soils

“…The optimum pH for naphthalene biodegradation (growth) required for all the three bacteria was pH 7.0. The optimum temperature required by Bacillus for maximum naphthalene degradation activity was 33 0 C where as Micrococcus and Pseudomonas exhibited highest naphthalene degradation activity at 31 0 C [6].…”