# Assessing the potential for Crude Oil degradation by Biosurfactant-producing Bacteria isolated from Marine Ecosystems in Nigeria

## TL;DR

This study identifies bacteria from Nigerian marine ecosystems that can effectively break down crude oil using biosurfactants.

## Contribution

The study isolates and characterizes Nigerian marine bacteria with high biosurfactant production and crude oil degradation potential.

## Key findings

- Twenty bacterial species were isolated, with 15 showing good biosurfactant production and crude oil degradation.
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa Sihong_820_11 achieved the highest crude oil degradation efficiency at 87%.
- Bacteria with higher biosurfactant production were more efficient in degrading crude oil.

## Abstract

Optimization of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation process in contaminated environments could be feasible using biosurfactant-producing bacteria. The aim of this study was to investigate crude oil degradation potential of biosurfactant-producing bacteria isolated from a marine ecosystem in Nigeria. Sediment and water samples were collected from ten marine locations in Nigeria, and physicochemical analyses were carried out on them. Isolates were identified and screened for biosurfactant production and crude oil degradation after 7 days of incubation. The screened isolates were assayed for biosurfactant production and crude oil degradation for 35 days and analysed every 7 days for changes in pH, OD and total petroleum hydrocarbon content. The strains with the highest yields were identified using PCR-based molecular method. Twenty bacterial species were isolated from the marine locations, and 15 of these isolates showed good potential for biosurfactant production and crude oil degradation. The isolates with the highest biosurfactant production using oil spread and emulsification index tests are Pseudomonas aeruginosa Sihong_820_11, P. aeruginosa Strain P73 and Atlantibacter hermannii Strain K167. In addition, these bacterial isolates have the highest crude oil degradation efficiencies of 87%, 68% and 68%, respectively. The findings revealed that biosurfactant-producing bacteria isolated from marine ecosystems within Nigeria could effectively degrade crude oil in contaminated sites. In addition, bacteria with higher potential for biosurfactant production are more efficient in crude oil degradation.