Naturally-occurring microbial consortia for the potential bioremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted sites in Trinidad

Abstract

Methods to improve the efficiency of bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated sites involves the assessment of microbial consortia in culture. In the present study, the cooperative capabilities of indigenous bacteria, yeast and fungi, as naturally-occurring consortia isolated from chronically contaminated sites in Trinidad, were screened to determine the most efficient associations that resulted in maximum oil clearance. Thirty naturally-occurring consortia involving both known biosurfactant-producing and non-producing isolates were screened. A total of sixteen combinations of yeast with fungi and bacteria with fungi were found to be the most efficient at crude oil deterioration based on >70% a zone of clearance around the original inoculum site on different media. The study revealed a difference in degradation action of strain-specific combinations which confirmed that the development of microbial consortia is both strain- and site-specific. Those consortia composed of biosurfactant-producing members were the most efficient at crude oil removal.

Keywords:

• Bioremediation
• consortia
• Janthinobacterium
• oil degradation
• petroleum hydrocarbon-degrading microbes
• yeast

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Mr. Vijai Ramdhan, Mr. Stephen Narine and Mr. Brent Daniel for field assistance.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Ethics statement

No specific permits or approvals were required for the described study as it did not involve or impact upon endangered or protected species.

Code and data availability statement

The R data that supports the conclusions of this article will be made available by the authors, without undue reservation.