The substrate spectrum of native hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria isolated from soils with different levels of anthropogenic impact

The substrate spectrum of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria isolated from the soils of the Saratov region was studied: the soils of Balakovo (chronic anthropogenic pollution) and agricultural soils of Novokrivovka village (single hydrocarbon pollution). It was found that the microorganisms isolated from the urban soils of Balakovo, being under constant anthropogenic influence, had a wider substrate spectrum. It was revealed that 4 microorganisms isolated from the urban soils of Balakovo: Acinetobacter lwoffii R44, Bacillus circulans E75, B. horikoshii P22, Ochrobactrum gallinifaecis I59, and also Paenibacillus polymyxa S31, isolated from the soil of Novokrivovka village, were capable of decomposing the largest amount of hydrocarbon substrates, including crude oil and individual hydrocarbons. 100% of bacterial strains isolated from the soils of Novokrivovka village and 75% of microorganisms isolated from the soils of Balakovo used crude oil as the only carbon source. The number of bacteria capable of using aromatic hydrocarbons for growth was 2–3 times higher among isolates from the soils of Balakovo. Native hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria with a wide substrate spectrum can be used to design a biological product aimed at carrying out restoration activities of contaminated soil ecosystems.