Enterobacter sp. as an engine oil degrader

P. K. Jain^a*, M. Lowry^b, V. K. Gupta^a, V. Bajpai^a, N. Joshi^a & R. K. Gaur^a
aDepartment of Biotechnology, Mody Institute of Technology and Science, Lakshmangarh, Rajasthan, India
^bDepartment of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur- 302004
Received 7th December, 2009; Revised 5th February, 2010

Abstract : The quality of life on earth is linked inextricably to overall quality of the environment.  The most common chemicals contaminating to soil, groundwater and sediments are petroleum products, heavy metals and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Thousand million gallons of waste engine oil is generated annually from mechanic workshops and discharged carelessly into the environment. The presence of these pollutants in the terrestrial and aquatic environments constitutes public health and socio-economic hazards. In the present investigation soil sample were collected from the Jaipur district of India. Soil samples were characterized on the basis of Physico-chemical properties. Bacterial strain was isolated on Minimal Salt Medium (MSM) containing 2T engine oil as a carbon and energy source. Isolated bacterial strain was identified as Enterobacter cloacae by Culture, Biochemical and 16s rDNA sequencing. The reduction in TPH (Total petroleum hydrocarbon) content of engine oil uninoculated (Control) and inoculated with this bacterial strain indicates, Enterobacter cloacae strain was efficient in degradation of PAH (Poly cyclic hydrocarbon). TPH reduction up to 81% was recorded after 8 weeks remediation period clear establishing the potential in the degradation of 2T engine oil.

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