Petroleum Hydrocarbon Utilization by Fungi Isolated From Detarium Senegalense (J. F Gmelin) Seeds

Petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading fungi were isolated from Detarium senegalense seeds. An assessment of the relative ability of each fungus to degrade petroleum crude oil, diesel, unspent and spent engine oils, kerosene and Detarium senegalense oil extract, on minimal salt broth, was done measuring change in optical density read on a spectrophotometer. Five fungi were isolated from diseased namely: Aspergillus flavus, A.niger, Mucor, Rhizopus, and Talaromyces. The fungi isolated were used in the experiment and it was evident that all the fungi were capable of biodegrading the petroleum oil, though at different rates. Aspergillus niger had the highest ability to degrade unspent engine oil and Detarium senegalense oil extract while Rhizopus had the highest ability to degrade kerosene and diesel, and Talaromyces had the highest ability to degrade spent engine oil. There was fluctuation in the growth pattern of the fungi in the petroleum oil medium. The implication of this result was discussed. [The Journal of American Science. 2007;3(1):69-76].