Biodegradation of Used Engine Oil By Bacteria Isolated From Soil Contaminated With Used Engine Oil in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Abstract

The biodegradation potential of five bacteria isolated from used engine oil contaminated soil was investigated in this study. The bacteria were inoculated into used oil supplemented with Mineral Salt Medium and incubated at 37 o C for 25 days. The results obtained showed that all the bacteria were able to utilize the engine oil as source of carbon. IR analysis of the residual engine oil showed that the bacteria have exerted microbial action on the oil. The results obtained from IR analysis revealed 9 bands in P. vulgaris, B. cereus, S. typhi, S. faecium, 10 bands for P. aeruginosa while that of the control was recorded to 8 bands. This study showed that the bacteria strains used in this study could be relevant in the bioremediation of ecosystem that may be contaminated with hydrocarbons.