biodegradation of petroleum oil by a novel bacillus cereus strain drdu1 from an automobile engine

contamination of soil and air due to hydrocarbon is a global issue and bioremediation providesprobably the best way to remediate the contaminants. the current study shows the biodegradation of crudeoil, diesel and used engine oil by a newly isolated bacillus cereus strain drdu1 from an automobile engine.hydrocarbon degrading strains were screened on bh (bushnell and haas broth) agar supplemented with 2%(v/v) of used engine oil as sole carbon source. the strain was found to be degrading 77%, 67%, and 16% ofdiesel, crude oil, and used engine oil respectively after 28 days under nitrogen and phosphorus stressedcondition. it was increased significantly up to 99%, 84% and 29% in presence of nitrate and phosphatesupplements. degradation was confirmed both gravimetrically and by gas liquid chromatographic analysis.the strain proves itself a stress tolerating bacteria by withstanding 7% of salinity, 37% of glucose concentrationand 52% of relative humidity. the thermal death point of the strain was found to be 86oc. the significance ofthe study is that the percentage degradation of the complex petroleum supplements used in the study wasfound to be far higher than some of the previously reported values.