Five pure aerobic microbial isolates were found from polluted soil samples of two areas of Eastern region, Dammam; Saudi Arabia. All isolates were gram positive and three of them were identified and found belong to coryneform and Nocardioform bacteria. Five isolates were examined for their capability to grow on mineral salt agar plates accompanied with one of the following typical n-alkanes or aromatic hydrocarbons: hexane, heptane, paraffin, benzene, toluene, naphthalene and kerosene. Cell hydrophobicity, the capability to yield glycolipids and extracellular emulsifying action were also detected and evaluated on the basis of growth of soil isolates on hydrocarbons. This study revealed degraders with broader abilities to grow on both types of hydrocarbons, good production of glycolipids and emulsifying activity. On this basis, isolate S2 with good emulsifying activity and producing glycolipids was proposed for bioremediation applications of hydrocarbon polluted soil environments.
Bioremediation, Dammam, Hydrocarbons, Pollution
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