Microbial degradation of diesel fuel as a potential environmental bioremediation

Diesel oil is a fossil fuel widely utilized globally and a significant source of environmental contamination. Its presence poses substantial ecological challenges. Bioremediation emerges as a viable solution for restoring diesel-contaminated environments, contingent upon comprehending the local microbiota. This study employed a metabarcoding technique with a culture-dependent approach to assess the impact of hydrocarbon contamination on soil microbiota. Soil samples were collected from contaminated areas, and microbial diversity was assessed through relative abundance, alpha, and beta diversity analyses. Additionally, bacterial strains isolated from the same area were screened for their ability to degrade hydrocarbons. Four strains, Pseudomonas nitroreducens B32, Pseudomonas koreensis B11, Ralstonia sp. BC2, and Acinetobacter sp. BC3 could degrade up to 38% of the diesel, using it as the sole carbon source. These strains effectively degraded n-alkanes and cyclic alkanes with short and medium chains (C7 to C18). This research enhances the understanding of hydrocarbons' impacts on soil microbiota and underscores the potential application of microorganisms in bioremediation efforts.