Characterization of Hydrocarbon Degrading Bacteria Isolated from Hydrocarbon Contaminated Soil

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are of particular concern due to its toxic and carcinogenic properties. The fate of these PAHs and other associated compounds present in the environment is directly related to abiotic and biotic processes; including oxidation, bioaccumulation and degradation by microbes. This study was conducted for the isolation of bacteria with potential biodegradation abilities. Nineteen different bacterial isolates were identified from soils contaminated with PAHs with biodegradation capabilities of different hydrocarbon compounds (1 %) (Xylene, Benzene, Naphylamine, Diphenylamine) added to nutritional media (L. agar and MM2 Agar). These bacterial isolates were found able to grow in the presence of different metals stress along with hydrocarbon at different temperature (25 to 45) and pH (5 to 9) conditions. Majority of the isolates were found belonging to Enterobacteriaceae family, while some of them were from Pseudomonas and Azotobacteriaceae. The bacterial isolates were capable of degrading a verity of different hydrocarbons with its ability to grow in different metals stress environment. Such bacteria can be successfully used for the bioremediation of industrial wastes.