Characterization and potentials of microbial community in soil and water contaminated with crude oil in Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, 12613 Giza, Egypt.

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to characterize the microbial population’s inhabitants in a crude oil-contaminated area located in the city of Ras Gharib at the Red Sea, Egypt. Soil, well water, sea water and oil-water-emulsion samples were collected. The samples contained a microbial population not exceeding 1.6 x 104cfu g-1 or ml-1. The numbers of the indigenous microflora increased noticeably when the samples were incubated in the presence of additional nutrients. A diverse microbial population including different bacterial and fungal genera and species capable for degrading crude oil was proved. A total of 18 bacterial strains and 4 fungal strains capable of growing with crude oil as a carbon source were selected among the cultures isolated (total 614 bacteria and 31 fungi) from different samples. The identities of candidate genera capable of growing with crude oil were confirmed by the 16S rRNA (for bacteria) and 18S rRNA (for fungi). The bacterial isolates were affiliated to five genera of Pseudomonas, Alcaligenes, Bacillus, Dietza and Streptomyces. The four fungal isolates were affiliated to Aspergillus. Bacillus subtilis RGB6 emerged as the top bacterial degrader (68.3%). Aspergillus terreus RGF3 and Aspergillus terrus RGF1 exhibited the maximum degradation rates of 86.5 and 70.3%, respectively.

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 December 2021
  • Revise Date: 04 January 2022
  • Accept Date: 05 January 2022

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