Biodegradation of hydrocarbons by halophilic bacteria isolated from the saltpans of Thoothukudi district, India

Abstract

Many halophilic microorganisms have evolved unique properties of a considerable biotechnological importance. In this study, two halophilic bacteria were isolated from the solar saltpans of the Thoothukudi district, located in Tamil Nadu, India, and were investigated for their hydrocarbon degrading abilities. These isolates were assigned names as GD30 and DM27; and then were subjected to morphological and molecular characterization, finally identified as Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi and Pseudomonas stutzeri, respectively. Among both isolates, DM27 specifically showed maximum growth and degradation activity of hydrocarbons (i.e. diesel and naphthalene). This hydrocarbon degrading ability was assayed by using 2, 6-dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCPIP) as an indicator. Our overall results demonstrated the potentiality of both halophilic bacterial isolates (Oceanobacillus oncorhynchi and Pseudomonas stutzeri), for biodegradation of hydrocarbons in contaminated saline soil.

Keywords

• hydrocarbons
• halophiles
• biodegradation
• thoothukudi saltpans