Hamadan University of Medical Sciences Avicenna Journal of Environmental Health Engineering 2423-4583 11 2 2024 12 29 Use of Biotechnology for Environmental Decontamination: Isolation of Bacteria Degrading Hydrocarbons From Soil Contaminated With Diesel Oil 70 74 10.34172/ajehe.5478 EN Zouaoui Benattouche https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1937-1894 Hamza Belkhodja Djilali Bouhadi Ahmed Hariri Journal Article 10.34172/ajehe.5478 2024 03 30 2024 11 06 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.