Characterization of petroleum degrading bacteria and its optimization conditions on effective utilization of petroleum hydrocarbons

Hydrocarbon contamination is continuing to be a serious environmental problem because of their toxicity. Hydrocarbon components have been known to be carcinogens and neurotoxic organic pollutants. The physical and chemical methods of petroleum removal have become ineffective and also are very costly. Therefore, bioremediation is considered the promising technology for the treatment of these contaminated sites since it is cost-effective and will lead to complete mineralization.The current study also concentrates on bioremediation of petroleum products by bacterium isolated from petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated soil. The current work shows that bacterial strains obtained from a petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated environment may degrade petroleum compounds. Two strains Bacillus licheniformis ARMP2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ARMP8 were identified as petroleum-degrading bacteria of the isolated bacterial colonies. The best growth conditions for the ARMP2 strain were determined to be pH 9, temperature 29 °C with sodium nitrate as its nitrogen source, whereas for the ARMP8 strain the optimal growth was found at pH 7, temperature 39 °C, and ammonium chloride as the nitrogen source. Both strains were shown to be effective at degrading petroleum chemicals confirmed by GCMS. Overall petroleum product degradation efficiency of the strains ARMP2 and ARMP8 was about 88 % and 73 % respectively in 48 h.The strains Bacillus licheniformis ARMP2 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ARMP8 were shown to be effective at degrading petroleum compounds in the current study. Even greater results might be obtained if the organisms were utilised in consortia or the degradation time period was extended.