Toluene–degrading activity of local bacteria isolated from contaminated sea of North Sumatera

Abstract

Hydrocarbon contamination in soil and water is still a major concern and considered as a serious environmental issue to various natural habitats. Microbial degradation of hydrocarbon compounds is considered as one of eco-friendly method to overcome this issue of contamination. Toulene-degrading bacteria were successfully recovered from contaminated marine seawater of Belawan and Tanjung Balai, North Sumatera. Three bacterial isolates identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa TJB01, Pseudomonas sp. TJB05, and Acinetobacter sp. SBG05 were subjected to degradation test by evaluating their hydrocarbon-degrading activities towards Toluene as one of selected hydrocarbon compounds of BTEX. Parameters observed in this study were bacterial cell density (Colony-forming unit/mL) by using Total Plate Count method and hydrocarbon residues (ppm) quantified by using Gas Chromatography. Initial concentration of Toluene was detected 173.10 ppm. Isolate P. aeruginosa TJB01 produced the highest cell density (log 7.94 CFU.mL−1) and produced the highest toluence degradation (%) at 59.46% than other isolates and bacterial consortium during 12 days of incubation period. Further investigations are needed to optimize consortium potential in exhibiting better degradation activities.