Abstract
BackgroundPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as anthracene are one of the most toxic contaminants to our environment. Microbial biodegradation of these xenobiotics is a cost-effective technological solution. The present study aimed to recover some bacterial isolates from Beni-Suef Governorate in Egypt with high capabilities of anthracene biodegradation. The selected isolates were molecularly characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the degree of anthracene biodegradation was monitored using optical density (OD) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), PCR amplification of some selected genes encoding biodegradation of PAHs was monitored, and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis was applied for detecting the resulted metabolites.ResultThree bacterial isolates were studied, the 16s rRNA sequences of the isolates showed homology of the first isolate to Brevibacillus sp. (94.58 %), the second isolates showed homology to Pseudomonas sp. (94.53%) and the third isolate showed homology to Methylocystis sp. (99.61 %), all isolates showed the ability to degrade anthracene. PCR amplification of some selected genes encoding biodegradation of PAHs revealed the presence of many biodegrading genes in the selected strains. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of the metabolites resulted from anthracene biodegradation in the present study suggested that more than one biodegradation pathway was followed by the selected isolates.ConclusionsThe selected strains could represent a potential bioremediation tool in solving the PAHs problem in the Egyptian environment with a clean and cost-effective technique.Graphical
Highlights
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as anthracene are one of the most toxic contaminants to our environment
The present study focused on exploring potential strains adapted in biodegrading PAHs effectively in Egypt’s local areas to provide a stress-free environment
MM1 isolate was identified as Methylocystis sp
Summary
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) such as anthracene are one of the most toxic contaminants to our environment. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) nowadays gain a significant interest due to their environmental toxicity, biological activity, mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity [1]. They are structurally composed of fused two or more benzene rings, created naturally due to forest fires, burning coal tar, oil leakages, and solid waste incineration [2]. They are solids of different colors, with low water solubility [3]. It was reported that high levels of PAHs in the atmosphere could cause 4–8% premature death [11]
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