Potencial of degradation of naphthalene, phenanthrene and pyrene from sediments collected area near the Panama Canal

Published in: Innovation in Engineering, Technology and Education for Competitiveness and Prosperity: Proceedings of the 12th Latin American and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology
Date of Conference: July 21-24,2014
Location of Conference: Guayaquil,Ecuador
Authors: Ariel A. Grey G.
Fermin Mejía
Viccelda Dominguez de Franco
Refereed Paper: #244

Abstract:

Considering the increase in accidental oil spills occurring around the Panama Canal, and given the fact that few investigations have been conducted to the application of biodegradation in coastal marine environments, we developed the present study with the aim of isolating and identifying bacterial strains capable of degrading hydrocarbon fractions. The isolation was conducted with a minimal medium of mineral salts of 2.3% NaCl. The inoculation was performed with 5 g of sediments in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks containing 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7 g/l naphthalene, pyrene and phenanthrene (the only carbon source). Successive transfers were made periodically to the new medium, and each of the cultures were incubated at 37°C, stirring them constantly at 150 rpm for 30 days in order to observe the bacterial turbidity growth. All isolates were examined by Gram’s staining reaction to differentiate between from Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria. More than 8 strains that were capable of using naphthalene as the only carbon and energy source were isolated from marine sediment samples. An automated test system API 20 was used for determination and identification of them. This study showed that one species of bacteria, Rhodococcus equi that is able on naphthalene, pyrene and phenanthrene as a carbon and energy source. Our experiments demonstrated that microorganisms have the capacity of degrading hydrocarbons.

Resumen:

Considerando el aumento de los vertidos accidentales de petróleo que ocurren alrededor del Canal de Panamá y dado el hecho de que pocas investigaciones se han llevado a cabo para la aplicación de la biodegradación en los ambientes marinos costeros, se ha desarrollado el presente estudio con el objetivo de aislar e identificar cepas de bacterias capaces de degradar fracciones de hidrocarburos. El aislamiento se llevó a cabo con un medio mínimo de sales minerales de 2,3 % de NaCl. La inoculación se realizó inoculado con 5 g de sedimento en matraces Erlenmeyer de 250 ml con 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6 and 0.7 g/l de naftaleno, fenantreno y pireno (la única fuente de carbono), las transferencias sucesivas se realizaron periódicamente, y cada uno de los cultivos se incubaron a 37 ° C con agitación constante a 150 rpm durante 30 días hasta observar la turbidez, característica de crecimiento bacteriano . Todos los aislamientos fueron sometidos por tinción de Gram para diferenciar las bacterias Gram positivas y Gram negativas. Más de 8 cepas, que fueron capaces de utilizar naftaleno, fenantreno y pireno, como la única fuente de carbono y energía se aislaron de muestras de sedimentos marinos. Un API 20 sistema automatizado de prueba se utilizó para la determinación e identificación de las bacterias. Este estudio demostro que una especies de bacterias, Rhodococcus equi que tiene la capacidad de tolerar naftaleno, fenantreno y pireno, como fuente de carbono y energía. Nuestro experimento demostro que los microorganismos tienen la capacidad de degradar hidrocarburos.