Degradation of poly aromatic fractions of crude oil and detection of catabolic genes in hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria isolated from Agbabu bitumen sediments in Ondo State.

Pollution due to release of Poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a major environmental issue especially in oil producing communities. This study investigates the polyaromatic hydrocarbon degradation potentials of some bacteria: and isolated from Agbabu bitumen sediments in Ondo State. The isolates were used singly and in consortium for the degradation of Bonny light crude oil. Concentrations of residual aromatic hydrocarbons in crude oil degraded by these isolates were determined by Gas chromatography/Mass Spectroscopy with flame ionization detector (FID). Detection of catabolic genes () in the isolates was determined by PCR amplification of their specific primers. The GC-MS analyses showed degradation of poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by these isolates. The consortium exhibited the highest PAH reduction (73%) while had the least PAH reduction (56%). , displayed 66%, 60%, 59% and 58% PAH reduction respectively. The catabolic gene gene was present in and gene was present in , and while was not detected in any of the isolates. The findings of this study affirmed the hydrocarbon-degrading abilities and presence of catabolic genes in these bacteria, these make them potential tools in oil prospecting and cleaning up of hydrocarbon contaminated sites.