Glucose And Hydrocarbon Utilization By Bacteria Isolated From Diesel Impacted Soil In The Niger Delta

Abstract

Hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria were isolated from diesel impacted sites at the University of Port Harcourt using the vapour phase transfer method. The isolates were identified as Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Serratia, and Micrococcus species. Examination of cultures supplemented with glucose revealed that the total viable counts ranged from 1.7 x 10⁴ to 5.9 x 10⁵ cfu/ml. For cultures supplemented with kerosene the total viable counts ranged from 1.18 x 10⁴ to 3.1 x 10⁵ cfu/ml. Bacillus spp. and Micrococcus spp. gave the highest and lowest counts respectively in both media types within 96 h. The other isolates had counts in between these ranges in the respective supplemented media. The growth of the isolates in mineral salts solution supplemented with glucose or kerosene resulted in turbidity of the broth as compared to clear media solutions in controls. Higher turbidity was recorded in media supplemented with glucose than kerosene, and this was reflected in the total viable counts obtained. The ability of the bacterial isolates to utilize glucose and hydrocarbon as substrates for energy and carbon has beneficial application in bioremediation technology in the Niger Delta.

KEY WORDS: Hydrocarbon utilization, glucose metabolism, bioremediation technology

Global Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences Vol.11(2) 2005: 205-208