Ex-Situ Assessment of Degradative Potentials of Bacillus Species Isolated from Diesel-Polluted Site Using Spectrophotometric Method

Bioremediation is one of the current approaches in environmental microbiology or
environmental biotechnology that has been exercised for the reduction removal of hydrocarbon
pollutants. Microorganisms, typically bacteria that have particular metabolic capacities, are
essential for the biodegradation of hydrocarbon pollutants. This study was undertaken to assess
ex situ degradative potentials of Bacillus species isolated from diesel-polluted site using
spectrophotometric method. Soil sediments were collected from different points at diesel
contaminated site located at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University power zone. The
samples were analyzed for the presence of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria using a modified
mineral basal medium. The bacterial isolates were characterized based on their cultural
characteristics, microscopy, and biochemical characteristics. The hydrocarbon adaptation
utilization potentials of the bacterial isolates were evaluated using spectrophotometric method.
The biodegradative potentials of the bacterial isolates were evaluated using hydrocarbon
supplemented modified mineral basal medium and spectrophotometer. The Gram positive
bacteria isolated were Bacillus species. The optical diameter of the adapted bacterial isolates
showed that the isolates adapted to the hydrocarbon medium while the biodegradative
potentials of the isolates showed that the hydrocarbon was biodegraded as revealed in the
weight loss, which increased with time. The study has shown that Bacillus species are good
hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria, which can be optimized in bioremediation of hydrocarbon polluted site.