Phenol Biodegradation by some Bacterial Species Isolated from Oil Contaminated Environments

Abstract

Phenols are poisonous chemical molecules that affect human and other mammals as well as the aquatic environment, particularly higher species in fresh water environments. useing microorganisms through bioremediation is an efficient technique for reducing dangerous chemicals and detoxification of soil contaminated with hydrocarbons. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficiency of some local bacterial species to degrade phenol. Bacterial species were isolated from soils contaminated with hydrocarbons from Al-Diwaniyah and Al-Basrah governorates. The remaining concentration of phenol was examined usingthe 4-aminoantipyrine assay. The results showed that the rate of decomposition of Enterobacter cloacae complex was 100% after an incubation period of 120h, pantoea spp was 100% after an incubation period of 120h, Acinetobacter lwoffii was 100% after an incubation period of 144h, Aeromonas salmonicida was 100% after an incubation period 168h, Escherichia hermannii was 100% after an incubation period of 168h, Sphingomonas paucimobilis was 100% after an incubation period of 168h, Streptococcus thoraltensis was 100% after an incubation period of 168h, Bacillus licheniformis was 97.98%after an incubation period of 168h, Bacillus subtilis was 95.91% after an incubation period of 168h, and Bacillus firmus was 70.91% after an incubation period of 168h. The tested bacterial strains can offer a potential basis for bioremediation of phenol polluted locations.