Harnessing Indigenous Microbial Diversity: A Study on the Bioremediation Potential of Bacteria from the Bundelkhand Region

Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination is a significant environmental issue, and bioremediation using microorganisms is a promising and sustainable solution. This study focused on isolating and characterizing potent oil-degrading bacteria from petroleum-polluted sites in the Bundelkhand region of India. From 32 morphologically distinct bacterial colonies, seven promising strains were selected based on their ability to grow on crude oil as the sole carbon source. These strains were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P1), Rhodococcus erythropolis (P2), Bacillus subtilis (P3), Burkholderia cepacia (P4), Gordonia amarae (P5), Acinetobacter baumannii (P6), and Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus (P7). Biochemical characterization revealed that all seven strains produced biosurfactants, with P. aeruginosa (P1) and A. baumannii (P6) being the most prolific producers. The isolates also exhibited significant hydrocarbon-degrading enzyme activities. M. hydrocarbonoclasticus (P7) displayed the highest Alkane Hydroxylase activity, while B. cepacia (P4) had the highest Catechol 1,2-Dioxygenase activity. Physiological studies demonstrated that the strains could efficiently degrade crude oil, with P. aeruginosa (P1) achieving over 78% degradation in 14 days. The strains also showed resilience to varying environmental conditions, including temperature, pH, and salinity. Notably, P. aeruginosa (P1) and M. hydrocarbonoclasticus (P7) exhibited exceptional halotolerance, making them suitable for marine bioremediation. Statistical analysis confirmed the significant differences in the biochemical and physiological capabilities of the isolates and revealed strong positive correlations between biosurfactant production, enzyme activities, and overall degradation efficiency. This research highlights the potential of these native bacterial strains for the effective bioremediation of petroleum-contaminated environments.