Isolation and Screening of Indigenous Bacteria from Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil for Petroleum Biodegradation

Mohammad Hazaimeh^1*, Noorah Alsowayeh¹ and Belal Kanaan²

Abstract

Due to the risks posed by the petroleum spill to ecological systems, it has become a primary environmental concern. Nowadays, the world claims to have developed efficient methods for removing petroleum pollution. Bioremediation using bacterial cells is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly technique. It depends on removing or converting petroleum pollution into a harmless form. The present research aims to isolate single bacterial strains capable of degrading petroleum contamination. The isolated strains were assessed for their ability to degrade petroleum and then tested for their capacity to produce biosurfactants. Then, it was identified using morphology, biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA. The results of 16S rRNA revealed that different Nocardia and Rhodococcus spp were isolated from the contaminated soil. The two strains of Rhodococcus sp. KSA1 strain (ON526877) and Rhodococcus sp. KSA4 strain (ON526878) degraded 49.35% and 32.78% of petroleum, respectively, and the two strains of Nocardia spp were Nocardia sp. KSA6 strain (ON421650) and Nocardia KSA10 strain (ON421651) degraded 33.78% and 19.17% of petroleum, respectively, within five days. Nocardia isolates are closely related to Nocardia species (KM233637) isolated from the USA, and Rhodococcus isolates are closely related to Rhodococcus isolates from Malaysia (MN566071 & MN566083) and Thailand (MT484133), as determined by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene. Furthermore, these isolates produced a stable E24 emulsion for 72 hours. Finally, these isolates can be used in environmental conditions to remediate petroleum contamination in harsh conditions in Saudi Arabia.

Keywords

Bacterial Hydrocarbon Degrader, 16S rRNA, Bioremediation, Emulsification Test, Drop Collapse

Corresponding Author

Mohammad Hazaimeh, Department of Biology, College of Science in Zulfi, Majmaah University, Majmaah-11952, Saudi Arabia.

Citation

Hazaimeh, M., Alsowayeh, N., Kanaan, B. (2025). Isolation and Screening of Indigenous Bacteria from Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soil for Petroleum Biodegradation. Int J Environ Pollut. 1(1), 01-16.