Isolation and molecular identification of n-hexadecan degrading bacteria from compost

Contamination of soil and groundwater by diesel released from underground storage tanks is an important and extensive environmental challenge in Iran. The aim of this study was to isolate and molecular identification of n-hexadecane-degrading bacteria from compost.

In this study, hexadecane was used as a model for contamination to diesel oil. We used compost in order to isolate hexadecane degrading bacteria. Then, the selected bacteria was identified using PCR method. Finally, the efficiency of isolated bacteria for consumption of hexadecane as sole source of carbon and the growth rate of the bacteria in different concentrations of NaCl were evaluated.

Based on morphology, biochemical tests and sequencing, the isolated bacteria identified as Sphingomonas yanoikuyae. This bacteria could remove 49.69% of n- Hexadecane after 33 days in 30 C. The concentration of n- Hexadecane decreased from 3000 mg to 1510 mg. In addition, the results showed that isolated bacteria can growth on 2.5% salinity.

The results of this study showed that S. yanoikuyae can be used in remediation of petroleum products, especially diesel oil, in tropical and semi-salinity area in Iran. Therefore, further investigations using molecular approaches is recommended.