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Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
Published on: May 10, 2013
Hexadecane biodegradation of high efficiency by bacterial isolates from Santos Basin sediments
Vitor B Ferrari1, Augusto Cesar2, Rodrigo Cayô3
1Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rua São Nicolau, 210, Diadema, SP 09913-030, Brazil.
Abstract:
The aim of the study was the investigation of bacterial diversity from sediments collected at Santos Estuarine System, regarding to their abilities for hexadecane biotransformation. Hexadecane is a medium-chain linear alkane, considered as a model molecule for hydrocarbon biodegradation studies. It is a component from aliphatic fraction of crude petroleum, commonly related to environmental contamination by diesel oil. Santos Basin is an area with historical petroleum contamination. In the present work, sediment samples from this area were inoculated in artificial seawater (ASW), containing hexadecane as carbon source. Six bacterial isolates were selected as resistant to hexadecane. Chromatographic results showed biodegradation indexes above 97%. After 48 h of culture, five of them could degrade >80% of the initial hexadecane added. These isolates were characterized by 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis. The following species were found: Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Nitratireductor aquimarinus, and Bacillus pumilus.
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