Extra-Heavy Crude Oil Degradation by Alternaria sp. Isolated from Deep-Sea Sediments of the Gulf of Mexico

The Gulf of Mexico (GoM) is an important source oil for the United States and Mexico. There has been growing interest, particularly after Deepwater Horizon spill, in characterizing fungal diversity GoM identifying isolates use bioremediation petroleum event another spill. Most studies have focused on light crude processes, while heavy (HCO) extra-heavy (EHCO) largely ignored. In this work, we evaluated ability obtained from deep-sea sediments Mexican economic exclusive zone (EEZ) to degrade HCO (16–20° API) EHCO (7–10° API). Alternaria sp., Penicillium spp., Stemphylium sp. grew with as sole carbon source. Remarkably, was only isolate able grow source, degrading up 25.6% total 91.3% aromatic fraction, demonstrated by gas chromatography analysis saturate, aromatic, polar fractions. These findings proved be significant, one few fungi reported so far capable untreated a suitable candidate future studies.