Zouaoui Benattouche
1* 
, Hamza Belkhodja
1, Djilali Bouhadi
1, Ahmed Hariri
11 Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Life, Mascara University, Mascara-Algeria
Abstract
To use biotechnology for environmental decontamination, the current study attempted to isolate bacterial strains capable of assimilating hydrocarbons. To this end, oil-contaminated soil samples were obtained from a gas station in Mascara (Alegria). Two bacterial strains were identified from the tainted soil. The results demonstrated the capacity of these strains to use hydrocarbon substrates as carbon sources, including diesel, benzene, naphthalene, and toluene. The strains’ capacity to break down diesel oil at 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% (v/v) concentrations was evaluated. According to the biochemical traits identified, the isolated strains S4 and S11 were associated with the gender of Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus, respectively. Based on these findings, both strains grew best when fed a 2% diesel oil substrate. Using oil diesel, benzene, naphthalene, and toluene as substrates, the isolates’ growth measurement characteristics revealed that strain S4 degraded hydrocarbon substrates more effectively than strain S11. In summary, these bacterial strains can reduce petroleum pollution and aid in the bioremediation process.