Isolation and Molecular Identification of Lipolytic Bacteria from Oil Contaminated Soil

Soil, the upper layer of the Earth's surface, a complex and dynamic ecosystem that supports plant growth, provides water and nutrients, and purifies the air and water. Comprising a mixture of organic matter, minerals, gases, liquids, and organisms, soil is a natural resource that plays a vital role in many ecosystem functions. However, human activities such as land use change, urbanization, deforestation, and intensive agriculture can lead to soil degradation and loss of soil resources. Soil organisms, including bacteria, fungi, and earthworms, contribute to organic matter decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil structure improvement, but can also compete with plants for nutrients. Soil pollution, caused by industrial activities, agricultural chemicals, and waste disposal, poses a significant threat to human health and the environment. Bioremediation, using microorganisms to break down pollutants, offers a promising solution for soil remediation. This study focuses on the isolation and identification of lipolytic bacteria from oil-contaminated soil, highlighting the importance of these microorganisms in degrading lipids and pollutants.In this study, the soil sample was examined for the presence of lipase-positive strains using a screening method and strains were identified based on the standard physical, biochemical and molecular tests. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis used identified the strains as Acinetobacter juniiand Bacillus tropicus.