Biodegradation potential of crude petroleum by hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria isolated from Soummam wadi sediment and chemical-biological proprieties of their biosurfactants

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the biodegradation potential of petroleum by hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria isolated from Soummam wadi sediments. The chemical-biological properties of their biosurfactants products were also determined. Percentage of petroleum degraded by Rhodococcus ruber, Alcaligenes faecalis and Cellulosimicrobium sp. reached the maximum of 56.5 � 1.2%, 52.7 � 1.1% and 49.7 � 1.2% respectively. Chemical profile study of the biosurfactants confirms their lipopeptide nature. The antifungal activity of these biosurfactants has given diameters of the zones of inhibition varying between 11.66 � 0.57 mm and 18.33 � 0.57 mm. The antioxidant activity showed a low activity for the antiradical power using the DPPH * and the molybdate test. The biosorption capacity of lead showed maximum biosorption of 74.91 � 2.1 μg/g of Rhodococcus ruber biosurfactants. These bacterial isolates may find applications in bioremediation of petroleum spills. Thus their biosurfactants can furnish a choice to the current chemical compounds and they may find applications in biotechnologies.