Biodegradation of used lubricating oil by microbes isolated from pristine soil environment
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Abstract
Pollution of soil by used lubricating oil is a common phenomenon in most cities in developing countries. This may pose a great threat to the environment and human being at large. Potential of hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria and yeast isolated from pristine (uncontaminated) soil to degrade used lubricating oil was studied in broth culture for 28 days at 30 ± 2 °C. Four isolates (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Micrococcus luteus, Trichosporon mucoides and Candida tropicalis) were used for the study. The highest percentage (40.6%) of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and hydrocarbon fractions degradation was recorded by C. tropicalis followed by T. mucoides throughout the study period, compared to those recorded by P. aeruginosa and M. luteus. Thus, pointing out the potential of the yeast species (Candida tropicalis) in biodegradation of used lubricating oil from soil environment.
Keywords
Biodegradation, Environmental Contamination, Hydrocarbon, Used lubricating oil
Divisions
InstituteofBiologicalSciences
Publication Title
Malaysian Journal of Science
Volume
31
Issue
1
Publisher
Faculty of Science, University of Malaya
Additional Information
Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science Building, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, MALAYSIA