Isolation and Characterization of Oil-Degrading Enterobacter sp. from Naturally Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils and Their Potential Use against the Bioremediation of Crude Oil

The contamination of crude oil in soil matrices is a persistent problem with negative repercussions because the recalcitrant, hazardous, and mutagenic properties its constituents. To mitigate effect soil, use microorganisms cheap feasible option. In current study, bacterial species from numerous polluted field surfaces were isolated examined for their ability to degrade oil. Random samples hydrocarbons collected various isolates isolated. Results revealed that 40% total had potential hydrocarbon biodegradation, synthesis exopolysaccharides solubilization phosphorous. Following isolation characterization oil, pot trial was conducted using maize inoculated four best strains—i.e., S1 (PMEL-63), S2 (PMEL-67), S3 (PMEL-80), S4 (PMEL-79)—in artificially hydrocarbon-polluted concentrations 0, 1000, 2000 ppm. (PMEL-79) significant soils. root length, shoot fresh biomass increased by 65%, 45%, 98%, respectively, pots Enterobacter cloacae subsp., whereas lowest length observed where no strain added concentration at maximum. Moreover, subsp. found be most effective degrading increasing growth under conditions. It concluded oil-contaminated sites should considered order identify microbial consortium biodegradation naturally hydrocarbon-contaminated