Biodegradation of Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Compounds by Bacterial Cultures

In the present study biodegradation of alphatic hycarbon compounds by bacterial cultures has been targeted. Growth curves analysis of Bacillus subtilis PD6, Bacillus sp. PD9, Enterobacter sp. PD11 and Bacillus sp. PD14 during utilization of dodecane, hexadecane, octadecane, eicosane and tetracosane as a sole source of carbon for growth and energy was performed. During this study, the degradation of different aliphatic hydrocarbons was studied as a function of bacterial growth. The hydrocarbon degradation efficacy of different bacterial species (selected on the basis of preliminary screening studies) was determined by indirect method wherein, the change in COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) was determined after a specific time interval (0 day to 6th day). Presence of aliphatic hydrocarbon degradation capability in the selected four bacterial cultures was substantiated by the PCR amplification of alkB genetic loci in three out of four cultures. Successful amplification of alkB gene loci in Bacillus subtilis PD6, Bacillus sp. PD9 and Bacillus sp. PD14 indicated that, these cultures are potential aliphatic hydrocarbon degraders and possess required genetic arsenal for degradation of n-alkanes.