Bioremediation prospects of fungi isolated from water soluble fraction of crude oil samples

Abstract

The fungi associated with water soluble fraction (WSF) of crude oil from two different locations were investigated. The samples were collected from Ezibin oil well (Sample A), Okwagbe village in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State and from NPDC laboratory (Sample B) in Benin City, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State. The WSF of Samples A and B were used at full strength (100%). Both samples were cultured on sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). The salinity level, ionic contents, heavy metals and physical characteristics were determined. The fungi isolated and identified were Trichoderma harizianum (found in both samples), Aspergillus accileatus from Sample A only and Trichoderma reesei from Sample B only. The values of sum of ions, physical characteristics (Sum of EC + TDS) and the analyzed values were higher in Sample A than Sample B. Sample A was more acidic (pH5.6) than Sample B (pH6.5). Sample A showed significant difference at (P<0.005) in the level of ions, while Sample B showed no significant difference (P>0.05), but had significant difference at P<0.05 in the level of pH, EC and TDS. The ability of the fungi to adapt to these conditions indicates their potential as a tool for bioremediation of crude oil polluted water.

Keywords: Bioremediation, Crude Oil, Fungi, Polluted Water, Potential.