Fungi and bacteria as potent hydrocarbon degraders

Abstract

The most dangerous pollution in the environment are the unwanted hydrocarbon in form of oil and petroleum which is the result of leak from the coastal oil refiners. Which leads several researchers to investigate its distribution and effects in the environment and impact on human. This contamination effect almost every type of ecosystem (marine, fresh and terrestrial). Current study focus to evaluate the bacterial and fungal species as a hydrocarbon degrader. From the biodegradation test in case of fungi, it was revealed that on day 6th Aspergillus tubingensis (1.63×109) degrade high amount of the hydrocarbon as compared followed by the Aspergillums niger (1.35×108). Lowest consumption was recorded for the Alternaria tenuissima (1.30×103). On the other hands in case
of bacteria high degradation was recorded for the strain of the Pseudomonas spp (1.65×109), followed by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.60×108). Potent strains of the bacteria and fungi were further identified and confirm by molecular techniques. From the current study it was concluded that introduction of these portent bacteria and fungi can greatly reduce the petroleum pollution in the environment. Future study should be encouraged to dig out novel strains of bacteria, fungi and other microbes to control these pollutions.