Role of nutrients in the utilization of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by halotolerant bacterial strain.

A halotolerant bacterial strain VA1 isolated from marine environment was studied for its ability to utilize polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) under saline condition. Anthracene and pyrene were used as representatives for the utilization of PAH by the bacterial strain. Glucose and sodium citrate were used as additional carbon sources to enhance the PAH utilization. The strain VA1 was able to utilize anthracene (73%) and pyrene (66%) without any additional substrate. In the presence of additional carbon sources (glucose/sodium citrate) the utilization of PAH was faster. PAH was utilized faster by VA1 in the presence of glucose than sodium citrate. The stain utilized 87% and 83% of anthracene and pyrene with glucose as carbon source and with sodium citrate the strain utilized 81% and 76% respectively in 4 days. Urea as an alternative source of nitrogen also enhanced the utilization of PAHs (anthracene and pyrene) by the bacterial strain up to 88% and 84% in 4 days. Sodium nitrate as nitrogen source was not able to enhance the PAH utilization rate. Phenotypic and phlyogenetic analysis proved that the PAHs utilizing halotolerant strain VA1 belongs to Ochrobactrum sp.