O R I G I N A L A R T I C L E
Isolation, characterization and determination of
biotechnological potential of oil-degrading bacteria from
Algerian centre coast
N. Djahnit
1
, S. Chernai
1 , V. Catania
2 , B. Hamdi
1
, B. China
3 , S. Cappello
4
and P. Quatrini
2
1 Laboratoire de Conservation et de Valorisation des Ressources Marines, Ecole Nationale Sup erieure des Sciences de la Mer et l’Am enagement
du Littoral, ENSSMAL, Alger, Alg erie
2 Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
3 Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstreet, Brussels, Belgium
4 Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (IAMC) – C.N.R. U.O.S. di Messina Sp., Messina, Italy
Keywords
Algeria, alkB, bioremediation, hydrocarbon,
oil-degrading bacteria.
Correspondence
Nora Djahnit, Ecole Nationale Sup erieure des
Sciences de la Mer et l’Am enagement du Littoral, Laboratoire de Conservation et Valorisation des Ressources Marines. ENSSMAL,
B.P.19 Bois des Cars, D ely brahim, 16320
Alger, Alg erie.
E-mail: djahnit.nora@gmail.com
2018/1464: received 27 July 2018, revised 31
October 2018 and accepted 20 December
2018
doi:10.1111/jam.14185
Abstract
Aims: The Algerian coastline is exposed to several types of pollution,
including hydrocarbons. The aim of this work was to isolate oil-degrading
bacteria and to explore the intrinsic bioremediation potential of part of its
contaminated harbour.
Methods and results: A collection of 119 strains, capable to grow on mineral
medium supplemented with hydrocarbons, were obtained from polluted
sediment and seawater collected from Sidi Fredj harbour (Algiers). Twentythree strains were selected for further studies. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA
gene showed that most isolates belong to genera of hydrocarbonoclastic
bacteria (Alcanivorax), generalist hydrocarbons degraders (Marinobacter,
Pseudomonas, Gordonia, Halomonas, Erythrobacter and Brevibacterium) and
other bacteria not known as hydrocarbon degraders (Xanthomarina) but were
able to degrade hydrocarbons. Strains related to Marinobacter and Alcanivorax
were frequently isolated from our samples and resulted the most effective in
degrading crude oil. Screening of catabolic genes alkB and xylA revealed the
presence of alkB gene in several bacterial strains; one isolate harboured both
catabolic genes while other isolates carried none of the studied genes. However,
they grew in the presence of crude oil implying the existence of other
biodegradation pathways.
Conclusions: The samples of seawater and sediment from the Algerian coast
contain high level of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria that could be interesting
and useful for future bioremediation purposes.
Significance and Impact of the Study: This investigation demonstrates the
diversity of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from a marine-contaminated area
in Algeria, and their variable biodegradation abilities
Introduction
Oceans and seas cover almost three-quarters of our planet
and are home to a wide variety of marine animals, plants
and micro-organisms. Over the last few decades, with the
increase of human population and human activities, the
coastal zones and marine ecosystems are under great
stress and have become highly vulnerable to pollution.
The attention has been focused on the marine environment since it is considered as the final and largest
receptor of human pollution particularly petroleum
hydrocarbons considered as a vital energy resource used
by industries and in our daily life, at the same time
petroleum is the most widespread contaminant in the
Journal of Applied Microbiology 126, 780--795 © 2018 The Society for Applied Microbiology
780
Journal of Applied Microbiology ISSN 1364-5072
Isolation, characterization and determination of
biotechnological potential of oil-degrading bacteria from
Algerian centre coast
N. Djahnit
1
, S. Chernai
1 , V. Catania
2 , B. Hamdi
1
, B. China
3 , S. Cappello
4
and P. Quatrini
2
1 Laboratoire de Conservation et de Valorisation des Ressources Marines, Ecole Nationale Sup erieure des Sciences de la Mer et l’Am enagement
du Littoral, ENSSMAL, Alger, Alg erie
2 Department of Biological, Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies (STEBICEF), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
3 Sciensano, J. Wytsmanstreet, Brussels, Belgium
4 Istituto per l’Ambiente Marino Costiero (IAMC) – C.N.R. U.O.S. di Messina Sp., Messina, Italy
Keywords
Algeria, alkB, bioremediation, hydrocarbon,
oil-degrading bacteria.
Correspondence
Nora Djahnit, Ecole Nationale Sup erieure des
Sciences de la Mer et l’Am enagement du Littoral, Laboratoire de Conservation et Valorisation des Ressources Marines. ENSSMAL,
B.P.19 Bois des Cars, D ely brahim, 16320
Alger, Alg erie.
E-mail: djahnit.nora@gmail.com
2018/1464: received 27 July 2018, revised 31
October 2018 and accepted 20 December
2018
doi:10.1111/jam.14185
Abstract
Aims: The Algerian coastline is exposed to several types of pollution,
including hydrocarbons. The aim of this work was to isolate oil-degrading
bacteria and to explore the intrinsic bioremediation potential of part of its
contaminated harbour.
Methods and results: A collection of 119 strains, capable to grow on mineral
medium supplemented with hydrocarbons, were obtained from polluted
sediment and seawater collected from Sidi Fredj harbour (Algiers). Twentythree strains were selected for further studies. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA
gene showed that most isolates belong to genera of hydrocarbonoclastic
bacteria (Alcanivorax), generalist hydrocarbons degraders (Marinobacter,
Pseudomonas, Gordonia, Halomonas, Erythrobacter and Brevibacterium) and
other bacteria not known as hydrocarbon degraders (Xanthomarina) but were
able to degrade hydrocarbons. Strains related to Marinobacter and Alcanivorax
were frequently isolated from our samples and resulted the most effective in
degrading crude oil. Screening of catabolic genes alkB and xylA revealed the
presence of alkB gene in several bacterial strains; one isolate harboured both
catabolic genes while other isolates carried none of the studied genes. However,
they grew in the presence of crude oil implying the existence of other
biodegradation pathways.
Conclusions: The samples of seawater and sediment from the Algerian coast
contain high level of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria that could be interesting
and useful for future bioremediation purposes.
Significance and Impact of the Study: This investigation demonstrates the
diversity of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from a marine-contaminated area
in Algeria, and their variable biodegradation abilities
Introduction
Oceans and seas cover almost three-quarters of our planet
and are home to a wide variety of marine animals, plants
and micro-organisms. Over the last few decades, with the
increase of human population and human activities, the
coastal zones and marine ecosystems are under great
stress and have become highly vulnerable to pollution.
The attention has been focused on the marine environment since it is considered as the final and largest
receptor of human pollution particularly petroleum
hydrocarbons considered as a vital energy resource used
by industries and in our daily life, at the same time
petroleum is the most widespread contaminant in the
Journal of Applied Microbiology 126, 780--795 © 2018 The Society for Applied Microbiology
780
Journal of Applied Microbiology ISSN 1364-5072