The Use of Biotechnology for Environmental Depollution: Isolation of Degrading Bacteria Hydrocarbons from Soil Contaminated with Diesel Oil

Abstract

The present work aims to isolate bacterial strains that can assimilate hydrocarbons, which can later be used in biotechnology for environmental depollution. Oil-contaminated soil samples were collected from a gas station in Mascara City (Alegria) and then used as a source of bacterial isolation. Two bacterial strains were isolated from contaminated soil. These strains were observed for their ability to use hydrocarbon substrates such as diesel, benzene, Naphthalene, and toluene as carbon sources. The strains were tested for their ability to degrade diesel oil at different concentrations: 1%, 2%, 3%, and 4% (v/v). Based on the biochemical characteristics defined, isolated strains S4 and S11 appeared to be related to Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus gender, respectively. These results indicated that 2% of diesel oil substrate provided the optimum growth for both strains. Growth measurement attributes of the isolates, using oil diesel, benzene, Naphthalene, and toluene as substrates, showed that stain S4 had better degradation for hydrocarbon substrates than strain S11. In conclusion, these bacterial strains can be helpful in the bioremediation process and decrease petroleum pollution.

Keywords: Diesel oil, Biodegradation, Soil pollution, Bacteria,