Identification of the potential nitrogen source that stimulates biodegradation of Petrol RON 95

Abstract

Petroleum pollution is common in automotive workshops and oil-related industries. Due to its sustainability and environmental friendliness, the option of using microbes to remediate polluted sites has been widely accepted. The present study focuses on determining best nitrogen source to be applied on hydrocarbon-polluted sites to enhance the activity of indigenous hydrocarbon-degraders in the soil. Four isolates (A-D) were identified through isolation and screening using morphological observation with gram staining and Lactophenol staining. Isolate A and B can be identified as gram-positive bacteria with rods and circular flat and cocci shape, respectively. Isolate C is gram-negative bacteria with cylindrical rods size shape, whereas isolate D is circular-shaped filamentous fungi. From the growth curve results, the organic nitrogen source (glycine) has been determined as the best nitrogen form in enhancing biodegradation of Petrol 95 and the optimum concentration was 1% v/v.