Bacteria that "eat" fuel oil found in the Black Sea: RTU MIREA student isolated two useful strains

A student from RTU MIREA found bacteria in samples from the Black Sea coast that decompose petroleum products. These are microorganisms that can "feed" on fuel oil and help clean contaminated soil and water. In the future, bacterial preparations for bioremediation can be created based on such cultures.

Samples for the study were collected by participants of the Student Expeditionary Corps "Team Arctic" on the Black Sea coast near the village of Veselovka. From these samples, two pure cultures of oil-degrading bacteria were isolated. DNA analysis showed that these are Sphingopyxis terrae and Rhodococcus erythropolis.

In the laboratory, the bacteria were first grown under normal conditions, and then tested in a medium with the addition of 0.5% oil. As a result, two strains were obtained that grew well specifically on such an "oil diet".

Both strains were taken directly from contaminated soil, so they are already accustomed to local conditions. Rhodococcus erythropolis is considered particularly promising: it can break down long hydrocarbon chains and work even in salt water.

In the future, special biological preparations for cleaning contaminated environments using living microorganisms can be created based on such bacteria.