Screening for oil degrading mirrobes from deploited marine substrates

Abstract

Bacteria samples were isolated on marine nutrient agar from Bidong water areas by modified isolation method from the Schut et al, 1993. These bacterias were preserved in cold container which prevent direct sunlight and brought back to laboratory under sterile condition for screening. There are five types of bacteria been isolated and characterized before they were tested with lipase assayby mixing with the tested material which are 3 types of oil; unused engine oil, used engine oil and cooking oil. All of the oil have different types of compound and some of the oil also contain additive. Two types of bacteria showed good oil degrading bacteria which exhibited 2:: 1 mm halo zone in the Spirit Blue Agar. Spirit Blue Agar is for use with Lipase Reagent or other lipid source for detecting and enumerating lipolytic microorganisms. The positive result might due to they are capable of using the aromatic compounds as their sole carbon source and energy. Their biological degradation is accomplished through benzene ring cleave mediated by intracellular enzymatic reaction.