ISSN 2375-088X
African Journal of Soil Science ISSN 2375-088X Vol. 7 (6), pp. 001-006, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Growth study on chrysene degraders isolated from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon polluted soils in Nigeria
Igwo-Ezikpe Miriam Nwanna1*, Gbenle Olabode George1 and Ilori Matthew Olusoji2
1Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Idi-araba, University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
2Department of Botany and Microbiology, Akoka, University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos, Nigeria.
Accepted 13 April, 2019
Abstract
Acinetobacter anitratus, Alcaligenes faecalis, Acinetobacter mallei and Micrococcus varians were isolated from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon polluted soils by enrichment culture using chrysene as sole carbon and energy source. Physiochemical evaluation revealed that these isolates grew well at a temperature range of 20 - 40°C, pH 6.0-8.0 but less tolerable to various salt concentrations except Micrococcus varians which grew at 1.0 to 7.5% NaCl. These organisms utilized chrysene, anthracene, naphthalene, crude oil, kerosene, diesel and engine oil as sole carbon source. None could utilize benzene, hexane, xylene, phenol and toluene as carbon sources. Growth study of the isolates on 0.1% (w/v) chrysene resulted in highest cell density of 8.8x107, 7.9x107, 6.3x106, 6.3x106 cfu/ml for A. anitratus, Alc. faecalis, A. mallei and M. varians, respectively. There was statistical significant difference (P< 0.05) in the growth of these organisms on chrysene as sole carbon and energy source when compared with non-chrysene control. This study indicates the potential of these hitherto unreported tropical bacterial strains as chrysene degraders and their use in biodegradation processes involving petrochemical products.
Key words: High molecular weight, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, crude oil, tropical bacteria, chrysene, biodegradation.