Utilization of Decane, Heptane, Petrol and Hexadecane by Fungi Isolated from Engine Oil Contaminated Soil in Ilorin

Fungi with hydrocarbon degrading capabilities were isolated from spent engine oil contaminated soil obtained from five automobile workshops in Ilorin, Nigeria. Preliminary analysis of degradation of the hydrocarbon was performed using Mineral Salts Medium (MSM). The organisms identified include Aspergillus sp., Blastomyces dermatitidis, Cladophialophora bantiana, Mucor circinelloides, Phaeoacremonium parasiticum, Rhizopus arrhizus, Neosartorya fischeri, Cladosporium sp. and Microsporium furrigenum. They were identified based on their morphological and cultural characteristics. Findings from this study showed Aspergillus sp. and Mucor circinelloides were able to degrade hexadecane, heptane, decane and petrol as sole carbon and energy source within 20days. Hydrocarbon utilization rate ranged from 0.020 to 0.284 for heptane, 0.0120 to 0.4965 for decane, 0.079 to 0.340 for hexadecane and 0.023 to 0.268 for petrol. Measurement of optical density and pH was carried to determine hydrocarbon degradation by fungi. The results of this study shows that fungi can play important roles in the effective clean-up of hydrocarbon contaminated soils thereby making them environmentally friendly.Keywords: Engine Oil, Fungi, Soil, hydrocarbons.

Biodegradation of Hydrocarbons by Bacillus cereus Isolated from Indoor and Outdoor Air of Selected Hospitals in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Indoor and outdoor air of five (5) hospitals in Ilorin, Kwara state were sampled using settling plate method to isolate fifteen (15) bacteria. Bacillus cereus was the identified spore former. Biodegradation performance of Bacillus cereus on hexadecane and heptane using Mineral Salts Medium  (MSM) was studied for 20 days at four days interval using the Jenway 6320D Spectrophotometer to assess the optical density. The degradation and utilization of the hydrocarbons occurred before the fourth day with readings for optical density obtained as 1.051nm and 0.820nm for hexadecane and heptane respectively. After day 4, there was a sharp decline in the utilization of hydrocarbons. A second experiment was setup for optical density with heptane and decane utilization being checked daily for a period of 5days. Bacillus cereus utilized the hydrocarbons till the fourth day as the optical density dropped on the fifth day. The readings for decane obtained on day 4 and day 5 were 0.431nm and 0.338nm respectively. Also, there was a decline in the readings of heptane from 0.451nm obtained on day 4 to 0.343nm obtained on day 5. This study shows that Bacillus cereus is promising in the biodegradation of alkanes and can also be utilized to clean up pollution from petroleum spill which is becoming a prevalent ecological hazard. Keywords: Air, Bacillus cereus, Biodegradation, Hospitals, Hydrocarbon