Assay of Oil-Degrading Potential of Fungi Isolates on Diesel, Kerosene and Petrol Using Enrichment Method.

ASSAY OF OIL-DEGRADING POTENTIAL OF FUNGI ISOLATES ON DIESEL, KEROSENE AND PETROL USING ENRICHMENT METHOD.

BOBOYE B., *OLUKUNLE O. F., ADETUYI F. C. AND ADEBIYI G. A

ABSTRACT

A study was carried out to assay for oil-degrading potential of fungi isolates on diesel, kerosene and petrol. Water samples were collected aseptically and analyzed microbiologically using standard techniques. The fungi isolated from the water samples were: Trichoderma viridae, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus and Stochyborys atra. The confirmatory test for oil utilization potential of the isolated fungi was carried out using the enrichment method, minimal salt broth (MSB). There were variations in the growth patterns of each of the fungal species with respect to the different oil (diesel, kerosene, petrol) used. This also signified that fungal species varied in their degradative abilities. The length of incubation for the fungi ranged from the 5th day to the 20th day.
The fungi with the highest hydrocarbon utilization potentials were: Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger while stachyborys atra had the least hydrocarbon utilization potential. These hydrocarbon degraders are capable of utilizing oil polluted river and could therefore be employed in bioremediation process.
*Corresponding Author:
Institute of Microbial Biotechnology and Metagenomics, University of the Western Cape, South Africa

KEYWORDS: oil–degrading potential, microorganism, polluted land, hydrocarbon degraders, enrichment medium

INTRODUCTION The huge demand for crude oil causes enormous quantities to be moved from production areas to different destinations where the oil will be used. The greatest environmental problem connected with crude oil exploration in Nigeria is oil spill both on-shore and off-shore (Okpokwasili, 1996). Crude oil, because of its characteristics, is one of the most significant pollutants in the environment as it is capable of causing serious damages to humans and

References: Barnett, H.L. and Hunter, B.. 1972. Illustrated Genera of Imperfect Fungi (3rd ed.) Bingess Publishing Company, Minneapolis Minnesota pp. 241. Batelle, C. D. 2000. Filamentous fungi to clean up the environment. Environmental Issues., 20 (1):10-15 Batha, R Bonaventura, C. and Johnson, F. M. 2005. Healthy environments for healthy people: Bioremediation today and tomorrow” Francisco, M. A. and Speight, J. G. 1999. Changes in the nature of chemical constituents during crude oil distillation Keeler, R. 2003. Bioremediation, healing the environment naturally. Research & Development magazine (2): 34 – 40. Nwachukwu, S. C. U. 2000. Enhanced rehabilitation of tropical aquatic environment polluted with crude petroleum using candida utilis Okpokwasili, G. C. 1996. Microbial degradation of petroleum hydrocarbon by brackish water isolates in Nigerian Wetland Okerentugba. P. O. and Ezeronye, O. U. 2003. Petroleum degrading potentials of single and mixed microbial cultures isolated from rivers and refinery effluent in Nigeria. Ojo, O. A. (2006). Petroleum–hydrocarbon utilization by native bacterial population from a wastewater canal southwest Nigeria Song, H. C. and Barthar, R. (1990): Effect of jet fuel spills on the microbial community of soil. Applied and Environmental Microbiology 56: (64-65). Sutherson, S. S. (2002). Microorganisms to combat pollution. Journal of Remediation Engineering 2: 45. Swanell and Richard, P. J. 2003. Field evaluations of marine oil spill bioremediation. Wilson, D. H. and Hinchee, R. E. (2002). Handbook of Bioremediation. Lewis, Boca Raton, Fl Yuan, S. Y., Wei, S. H. and Chang, B. V. (2000). Biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by a mixed culture