Enhanced Biodegradation of Mobil Oil Hydrocarbons by Biosurfactant Producing Bacterial Consortium in Wheat and Mustard Rhizosphere

Abstract

Hydrocarbon fuels are one of the most common global environmental pollutants which cannot be easily degraded owing to their hydrophobic nature. The present study involves the degradation of hydrocarbons by biosurfactant producing bacterial consortia. In this study, results showed 73.66% and 75.80% degradation of 2% mobil oil hydrocarbons in contaminated soil by biosurfactant producing bacterial consortium with wheat (Triticum aestivum) and mustard (Brassica juncea) crops, respectively. Therefore, it indicates that the developed bacterial consortium are capable for the effective degradation of mobil oil hydrocarbons in wheat and mustard rhizosphere and hence can be employed effectively for the degradation of mobil oil hydrocarbons in oil contaminated soils. Phthalate esters formed during the degradation can be used for industrial applications like PVC softening.