Abstract

Biodegradation of Petroleum and Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Bacteria Isolated from Petroleum-Contaminated Soil

Sayyed Hossein Mirdamadian, Giti Emtiazi, Mohammad H. Golabi and Hossein Ghanavati

Five bacterial strains from genera Pseudomonas , Rhodococcus , Micrococcus and Bacillus isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils were selected for their capacity to grow in the presence of petroleum and some aromatic hydrocarbons. Their growth rates and biodegradation ability were investigated in mineral basic media supplemented with light oil, crude oil, aniline plus catechol, aniline, toluene and naphthalene. The results revealed the extents to which these strains could degrade different aromatic hydrocarbon that are toxic in the environment. The plasmid pro fi les of isolated bacteria were also determined and in some strains, biodegradation ability proved to be plasmid related.