ANTHRACENE DEGRADATION BY NOVEL STRAIN OF GEOBACILLUS STEAROTHERMOPHILUS AAP7919
Arun Kumar, Ashutosh Bahuguna, Ashok Munjal, Santosh Kumar Singh, Amir Khan, R.N. Singh
Abstract
Anthracene, a three fused benzene ring, polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), released in the environment because of incomplete combustion of petroleum products, is potentially toxic to fishes, algae and environment. Due to its potential toxicity it is imperative to remove it from environment. The aim of present study is to isolate bacteria which can degrade anthracene as a sole source of carbon and energy. Furthermore, optimization of culture conditions with respect to temperature, pH, initial inoculum and agitations for the maximum anthracene degradation were determined. In present study we have isolated thirty four bacterial strains, with ability to degrade anthracene from oil contaminated soil. Among these bacterial isolate AAP7919 which was identified as Geobacillus stearothermophilus degraded maximum anthracene (64.09%) after 10 days of incubation. Maximum anthracene degradation by AAP7919 was observed at 50°C, pH 8.0, 5% initial inoculums size and 130 rpm agitation speed. The study leads to isolate a novel strain of Geobacillus stearothermophilus AAP7919 with anthracene degrading potential at higher temperature and which could be used for bioremediation of PAHs contaminated sites.