Characterization Of Hydrocarbon Utilizing Bacteria In Waste Engine Oil-Impacted Sites

ABSTRACT The present work was aimed at isolating and identifying hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria from waste engine oil polluted soil, and assessing their hydrocarbon-utilizing ability. Materials and method: Eight bacterial species; Corynebacterium kutscheri, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Flavobacterium aquatile, Serratia odorifera, Micrococcus agilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus and Bacillus substilis were isolated by selective enrichment technique and screened for hydrocarbon utilization capability in mineral salt media with waste engine oil as a sole carbon and energy source. Bacterial species showed varied hydrocarbon utilization during the 15 days of incubation. All isolates also showed variable emulsification ability. These results demonstrate the presence of indigenous bacteria in hydrocarbon polluted soils and the potential towards remediation of hydrocarbons.