Screening and characterization of culturable hydrocarbon-degrading strains from the South and East China Seas

Abstract:

[Background] Abundant microbial resources exist in the sea with various species and functions, playing important roles in driving substance circulation and energy flow. Screening and studying the diversity of marine strains capable of degrading hydrocarbons can be important for this purpose, especially in the South and East China Seas where this resource is still underexplored. [Objective] We screened culturable strains with hydrocarbon degradation ability, and studied their diversity and function to degrade hydrocarbons. [Methods] The sediment samples were collected from the South and East China Seas. Different hydrocarbons were used as the sole carbon source to isolate bacterial strains by serial dilution and plate streaking procedures. Then the growth of the isolated strains was investigated using corresponding hydrocarbon compounds as the sole source of carbon and energy. [Results] From the samples used, 63 strains with the ability to degrade hydrocarbon compounds were isolated, belonging to 3 phyla, 4 classes, 8 orders, and 10 genera. They are mainly Rhodococcus, Acinetobacter, Vibrio, Halomonas, Pseudomonas. The degrading strains from sediments in the East China Sea were mainly Acinetobacter, whereas those from the South China Sea were mainly Rhodococcus, exhibiting differences in major genera of degrading strains between the two areas. [Conclusion] Hydrocarbon-degrading strains from the South and East China Seas have the potential bioremediation of petroleum-polluted marine environments.