Effect of salinity, temperature, pH and crude oil concentration on biodegradation of crude oil by pseudomonas aeruginosa

Abstract

The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of culture conditions on biodegradation of crude oil by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa was isolated from sea water using Bushnell Haas agar supplemented with 0.1% crude oil. The strain was cultured at different temperature, pH a salinity and crude oil concentrations. Maximum growth and biodegradation occurred at 38oC, pH 8.0, 35‰ and 2.0% of crude oil. Addition of fertilizer at 0.1% concentration resulted increase in growth and biodegradation rate. Emulsification experiment revealed that P. aeruginosa showed good emulsification activity against waste motor lubricant oil, crude oil, peanut oil, diesel, kerosene, naphthalene, anthracene and xylene. Results obtained from the biodegradation experiments at different culture condition revealed that, each factor is having significant impact on biodegradation. Biodegradation of crude oil and emulsification of eight different hydrocarbons by P. aeruginosa indicated the potentiality of the strain.