Assessment of Hydrocarbon-Degrading Bacteria in Petroleum-Polluted Soil

Microbiology — 2025, Undergraduate

This study assessed the potential of indigenous bacteria to degrade hydrocarbons in petroleum-polluted soil. Soil samples were collected from polluted and unpolluted sites, and hydrocarbon-utilising bacteria were isolated and screened in mineral medium supplemented with crude oil. The findings revealed that bacteria such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Micrococcus grew on hydrocarbons, with measurable degradation indicated by biomass and growth responses, while degradation varied by isolate and concentration. The study observed greater occurrence of degraders at polluted sites. It recommends further molecular characterisation and field-scale bioremediation trials.

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