Isolation and Characterization of Phenol Degrading Organisms from Soil Sample Containing Traces of Crude Oil

Abstract

The present study was conducted to isolate microorganisms capable of degrading phenol found in soil sample. The microorganisms were isolated from soil contaminated with phenol using enrichment technique and the isolates obtained from different soil samples were grown in nutrient broth, nutrient agar plates and mineral salt media. Mineral salt media was used for the degradation of phenol. The efficiency and resistivity of this biomass was checked for different concentrations of phenol with maximum of 1500 ppm. Three different microbes were identified and isolated which could resist this high concentration of phenol. The different characterization tests were performed on these three microorganisms. The ability of these microorganisms to degrade phenol at different pH was also observed. These microbes were also examined for their degrade ability by revealing them to different temperatures. The characterization tests and degradation study could give an identified microorganism able to degrade phenol. Outcome of this study offer a useful guideline in evaluating potential phenol degraders from the environment.