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Biodegradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Bacillus spp.: A Review

Article in Bioremediation Science and Technology Research · December 2018

DOI: 10.54987/bstr.v6i2.433

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 BSTR, 2018, Vol 6, No 2, 14-21

BIOREMEDIATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

RESEARCH
Website: https://journal.hibiscuspublisher.com/index.php/BSTR

Biodegradation of Petroleum Hydrocarbons by Bacillus spp.: A Review

Nurulhuda Kaida 1, Syahir Habib1, Nur Adeela Yasid1 and Mohd Yunus Abd Shukor1*
1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia,
43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.

*Corresponding author:
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Yunus Abd Shukor
Department of Biochemistry,
Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences,
Universiti Putra Malaysia,
43400 Serdang, Selangor,
Malaysia
Email: [email protected]

HISTORY ABSTRACT
This mini review aims to provide an overview of petroleum hydrocarbons degradation by
Received: 27th Oct 2018
Received in revised form: 2nd Nov 2018
Bacillus species. The first half of the scientific assessment is focusing on the impact of usage of
Accepted: 5th of Dec 2018 petroleum hydrocarbons such as diesel fuels towards organisms and the surrounding
environments. The other section of the literature collection discusses on the microbial
KEYWORDS
remediation of this recalcitrant compounds by microbial species with special highlight on the
biodegradation genus Bacillus. This short evaluation will improve our present comprehension of bacterial
petroleum hydrocarbons
bacteria
degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons and their respective derivatives while providing an
Bacillus spp. insight on the role of Bacillus species in microbial remediation communities.

INTRODUCTION

Due to the increase of demands for hydrocarbon fuels such as Current decades have shown reports and review that
diesel to support the anthropogenic activities, the occurrences of addresses the distinctive application of Bacillus species in
hydrocarbon pollution in many parts of the world are not xenobiotics degradation and remediation. The present review
shocking. The persistency of these hazardous complexes causes focuses on the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons,
many toxic effects towards human health and the environment. especially from the diesel fuels by the genus Bacillus. We hope
Several toxic effects towards human are chronic cough and that this review will increase our understanding of the impact of
phlegm [1], persistent respiratory symptoms [2] and potential of hydrocarbon pollution and the subsequent microbial
skin and lung cancer [3]. remediation by this specific genus.

For this reason, various attempts to remove hydrocarbon Petroleum hydrocarbon (diesel)
pollutants from the contaminated environment via physical, Petroleum, derived from a Greek word πέτρα (Latin petra) -
chemical and biological methods have been established. rock + έλαιον (Latin oleum) - oil) or crude oil is an oily, heavy
Although the primary response to a source of contamination or unrefined liquid form that occurs naturally in deposits,
such as fuel spills is more biased to the physicochemical usually beneath the surface of the earth. Meanwhile, petroleum
method, the fate of the spilled fuels on the site is unpredictable hydrocarbons are compounds that carry predominantly carbon
due to the disturbances of the natural ecosystems [4]. As and hydrogen atoms. Petroleum hydrocarbons consist of a
demands for an environmentally-friendly technique are on the complex mixture of non-aqueous and hydrophobic components
rise, an alternate petroleum hydrocarbons removal method such of hydrocarbon grouped as aliphatics (straight, branched,
as microbial remediation is highly anticipated. Bioremediation saturated and unsaturated), alicyclic, cycloalkanes, aromatics,
defines as the process used to treat contamination by exploiting polycyclic aromatics, asphaltenes, and resins [7]. A wide sort of
the enzymatic mechanism of microbes and plant [5,6]. petroleum hydrocarbon is the result of variations in branching,
chain length and ring condensations.

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The other constituents present in oil are sulfur, oxygen, Hydrocarbon fuels pollution
nitrogen and metal atoms although in very small amounts [8]. Hydrocarbon fuels are important energy resources used by
Petroleum or crude oil may appear black or brown since it industry and in our everyday life. For the past few decades, the
varies depending on the composition and also level of growth of modern industrialization has caused a rise in demand
flammability [9]. Most petroleum is lighter than water or rock of petroleum and associated products. This action is to fulfill the
thus floats above a layer of water and is held under pressure energy requirement for current population [20]. Despite the
beneath a natural gas layer. It will move upward through fluctuations in fuel prices, hydrocarbon fuels will remain as the
adjacent rock layers until it is trapped beneath impermeable principal source of energy within the next several decades due
rocks, within porous rocks called reservoirs [10]. The formation to the lack of any reliable alternative energy that are more
of crude petroleum is formed from the preserved remains of dominant than petroleum fuels.
zooplankton and algae that populated the sea or lake bottom in
large quantities under anoxic conditions. Series of According to Plohl et al. [21], petroleum hydrocarbons
transformation processes is carried out on the organic matters posed as a globally environmental pollutant among the most
before it becomes petroleum. According to geologists, common anthropogenic contaminants despite its important
petroleum is believed to be the product of repeated compression usage. The most common sources of fuel contaminations id
and heating of prehistoric organic materials over time. from the leakage from storage tanks and pipelines and the
release during accidental spills [22]. The contaminations of
Several refined products of petroleum such as engine fuels, petroleum hydrocarbons into the natural environment provide
diesel oil, lubricating oil, jet fuel, liquefied petroleum gas and serious problems for many countries [23] including Malaysia.
gasoline is obtained through the fractional distillation [11]. Gallego et al. [22] also reported that diesel oil is the most
These groups are called as the petroleum hydrocarbon fractions frequently reported contaminants to pollute soil, groundwater
[12]. Among the petroleum-refined products, diesel oil proved and marine environment due to accidents involving motorized
to be the most utilized hydrocarbons due to their immense vehicles (ships, cars, trucks), leaking of underground oil storage
production for fuel industry. Diesel is a complex mixture of tanks, spillage during transferring oil from production facilities
liquid and solid hydrocarbon, whose composition also varies to refinery sites and rupture of pipelines.
with the source. Most of hydrocarbons in diesel oil consist of
straight aliphatic molecules and smaller portions of cyclic or The other contributing source of oil pollution results from
branched hydrocarbons [13]. a variety of human activities including bilge waste and ballast
water discharges from ships (fishing, merchant, and tanker
The aliphatic alkanes (paraffins), n-, iso- and cycloalkanes ships), abandoned gasoline manufacturing sites and illegal of
(naphthenes) are saturated hydrocarbons and composed industrial and urban discharges [24]. Several causes of leakage
approximately 80-90% of the diesel oils. Aromatics of storage tanks includes the corrosion of old bare steel tanks
hydrocarbons (naphthalenes and alkyl benzenes) and olefins and the connecting pipes or lines, improper connection and
(styrene and indene) compose of 10-20% and l% of the fuel incompatibility between pipes and their fittings, shifting of the
oils, respectively. This oil mixture includes both the volatile and piping after installation and pump failures [25].
semi-volatile hydrocarbons [13]. Diesel is typically heavier,
more viscous, immiscible with water and less volatile than Petroleum released to the soil may move through the soil
gasoline [14]. It also represents an excellent substrate in the to the groundwater [3]. Individual compounds may then
study of hydrocarbon biodegradation due to its composition. separate from the original mixture, depending on the chemical
According to Richard and Vogel [15], a typical diesel fuel properties of the compound. Some of these compounds will
comprises commonly n-hexadecane, alkanes with 16 carbons evaporate into the air and others will dissolve into the
(C16H34). groundwater and move away from the release area. Other
compounds will attach to particles in the soil and may stay in
Uses of diesel fuels the soil for a long period of time, while others will be broken
Diesel fuels have been extensively used as the principal source down by organisms found in the soil [26].
of energy to power a diesel engine for transportation such as
ships, boats, motorcycles. Diesel-based fuels also have been By 2025, with world oil demand expected to increase to
used as locomotives, lubricants and generation of electricity 50%, the oil pollution is likely to remain as significant hazard to
(power) [16]. In terms of utilization of fuel, diesel is more organism, ecosystem and industry for many more year even
advantageous than gasoline as it is less flammable and after the event took place [27]. This is because hydrocarbons
commonly used as armoured fighting vehicles like trucks and can be persisting for ages in one environment and completely
tanks for military [17]. biodegraded in a short time, under different condition [28].

Compared to the liquefied petroleum and petroleum ether Effect of hydrocarbons pollution
gas engines, the ignition of spark plugs when using diesel as The hydrocarbons that contaminate the soil can also lead to the
fuels is also more valuable as low voltage is being used [18]. pollution of underground water and coastal marine water [29].
Besides, engines running on diesel-based fuels are less likely to Soil contamination with hydrocarbons causes’ extensive
stall and provide more rotating force as they are controlled by a damage towards local ecosystems since the accumulation of
mechanical or electronic governor. Moreover, consumption of pollutants in animals and plants tissues may cause progeny’s
diesel fuel in motorized vehicles is more environmentally death or mutation [30]. Acute and chronic oil effects on
friendly as it produces fewer amount of greenhouse gas ecosystems and marine organisms such as fish and shellfish
emission and more economical in comparison to an equivalent may kill eggs of marine fauna’s egg, fish and invertebrate
gasoline engines [19]. [31,32] as well as bioaccumulation of polyaromatic fractions
that are harmful to the natural environment. In addition, several
congeners of polyaromatic hydrocarbons are known for their
carcinogenic and teratogenic properties.

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The aromatics in oils also have numerous adverse effects population densities, inhibition of organic matter mineralization
on the environment particularly to the local microbial flora. as well as decreased leaf litter decomposition [49–51], and
Benzo(a)anthracene, chrysene, and benzo(a)pyrene are some mycorrhizal infection of clover (Trifolium sp.) roots [52].
residues in the diesel that may harm human life [33]. The
impact of oil pollution is particularly complex in a forest and Saturated alkanes with C12 to C18 chains or longer are
woodland environmental system. It may lead to the decline of readily attacked by a large variety of bacteria. The degradation
vegetation, which is directly reflected on the environmental and of water-soluble short chain alkanes such as pentane, hexane,
site value of a forest [34,35]. heptane and octane, which are toxic for the environment, is less
frequent [41]. In general, different compounds in petroleum
Additional impairment inflicted during the process of fractions affect the human body in different ways. The smaller
restoring an accident site may cause the soil to be compacted or compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylene can affect the
the roots and damaged the above ground plant parts [35]. Mud human central nervous system (CNS) and can cause death when
ditches have a special status in an oil field. They were formerly exposed in elevated concentration [53,54]. Inhalation of
used as disposal sites for drilling waste. Although such sites concentrated toluene around 100 ppm in a short time period can
have been restored, it still represent the points of threat in an oil cause fatigue, headache, nausea, and drowsiness [55]. Although
field [16]. From economical aspect, the revenues from sources these symptoms do not prolong, continuous exposure may
of fisheries, recreational, marine activity and tourism will be damage the central nervous system permanently. Hexane, an
affected by the pollution [36]. alkane also can affect the central nervous system but in a
different mode. It will cause numbness in the feet and legs and,
Petroleum compounds are considered to be recalcitrant to in severe cases, paralysis. It also known as “peripheral
microbial degradation and persist in ecosystems because of their neuropathy” [56].
hydrophobic nature as well as expensive disposal methods [37].
Uncontrolled releases of these compounds into soil and ground Gasoline, kerosene or diesel ingestion can cause irritation
water are frequent as a result of accidents, improper storage and of the throat and stomach, central nervous system depression,
handling of fuels, and the indirect booming of tourism that breathing difficulties, and pneumonia from breathing liquid into
initiates many anthropogenic activities [38–40]. the lungs. The compounds in the petroleum portions can also
affect the blood, immune system, liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs,
Toxicity of petroleum hydrocarbons and fetus development. Certain hydrocarbon compounds can be
Hydrocarbon compounds such as petroleum are essential irritating to the skin and eyes. Other hydrocarbon compounds,
elements of life. Since they do not naturally occur in the forms such as some mineral oils, are not very toxic and are used in
that are more convenient to humans, they can be hazardous due foods [7].
to the composition of highly concentrated toxic materials and
can become stable and recalcitrant in subsurface [41]. This Besides that, toxicity of crude oil includes liver necrosis,
makes their biodegradation efficiency considerably challenging congestion of the liver, fat degeneration, and dissociation of
thus can negatively influence to human, animals, soil microbes hepatocytes [7]. Birds and animals in oil-contaminated area are
and plants, as well as contaminate groundwater, which may be found to have black emulsion in the digestive tract with a
used for drinking or agriculture [7]. The toxicity of petroleum petroleum odour. This leads to a decrease in the absorption of
and its derivatives is mostly attributed to its soluble part, which nutrients and finally leads to death of these birds and animals
contains low weight molecular polar compounds, such as due to rupture of capillaries and hemorrhage, hepatocellular
monoaromatic hydrocarbons (benzene, toluene and xylene) and dissociation, hemosiderosis, renal tubular necrosis, and anemia
small polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) [11]. [57].

Methodical and accidental discharge of dangerous Crabs, shellfish and mussels can be tainted from small oil
hydrocarbon compounds into the aquatic environment has the spill in shallow shore areas [29]. Fish eggs and first larvae stage
impending disturbance to the structure and functioning of will be destroyed and cannot reach the next larval stage even
natural ecosystem [42]. The constituents of these contaminants with the low concentration (0.1 mg/L) diesel. Exposure to crude
such as diesel oil are carcinogenic, mutagenic and are potent oil and derivatives can induce a variety of toxic symptoms in
immunotoxicants, thus posing a serious threat to human and experimental animals. Petroleum hydrocarbons can act as a
animal health [43,44]. It has been observed that diesel oil mediator in free radical generation in fish [58]. Studies with the
presented a higher toxicity than crude oil in all mesocosms [45]. goldfish Carassius auratus has shown an increase in antioxidant
Petroleum and its refined products are found all over the planet, defenses in animals after exposure to different concentrations of
which justifies the recent global concern with pollution the water-soluble fraction of diesel oil (WSD) for various
originated from oil spills that can result in the deposition of experimental times [59,60]. Other studies have also indicated
large quantities of aromatic hydrocarbons in the aquatic that the exposure of fish to a water-soluble fraction of
ecosystem [11] . In regards to toxicity of hydrocarbon petroleum derivatives causes different effects in cortisol plasma
composition, the aromatic constituents are usually more toxic concentrations [61–63], suggesting that these contaminants
than aliphatics with the same number of carbon atoms and they might interfere in the fish stress response.
are typically found at higher concentrations in water because
their solubility is three to five times greater [14]. Hydrocarbon removal from contaminated environment
Hydrocarbon pollution such as oil spills cause short-term as
Petroleum hydrocarbons and heavy metals can impact soil well as long-term damage to the environment especially in soil,
ecosystems sufficiently to result in significant losses in soil water, animals and aquatic flora and fauna. Remediation of the
quality [46–48]. Their negative impact results from their affected sites helps to reduce the environmental damage and aid
toxicity to biological processes catalyzed by soil in its recovery. Several physical and chemical techniques for
microorganisms. Field studies of contaminated soils have decontamination have been developed and used such as
demonstrated that elevated loadings of these contaminations can incineration, combustion, solvent extraction, washing with
result in diminished microbial biomass, reduced viable bacterial detergent, mechanical collection, sorbent materials utilization,

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 BSTR, 2018, Vol 6, No 2, 14-21

sinking, dispersion and diffusion. Although these techniques are Currently, bioremediation technologies are well
well developed and established, these methods have limited established for the clean-up process in industrial sector and also
efficacy. The synthetic detergents used in petroleum being applied commercially in large scale [79]. There are three
remediation often led to more destruction of the environment, types of bioremediation which are natural attenuation,
production of more toxic compounds thus can cause biostimulation, and bioaugmentation. Biodegradation by natural
recontamination by secondary waste products, costly and populations of microorganisms, or in situ attenuation is a
demand the custom usage of elaborate equipment and large primary mechanism by which petroleum hydrocarbons could be
amounts of energy [64–67]. eliminated from contaminated sites such as soil or water
[80,81]. For natural attenuation to be viable approach, the site
For the past few decades, researchers have established the must have a high natural supply of nutrients and oxygen, and
use of microorganism to decompose petroleum products and the source of contamination must be small. Significant
this approach shows to be a promising technological alternative evaluation up front and follow-up monitoring are necessary to
pollution treatment [14]. One documented example is the ensure removal of contaminants of concern at reasonable rates
contamination cleanup of the Exxon Valdez oil spill occurred in [67].
Prince William Sound, Alaska on March 1989, which resulted
in the release of large quantities of crude oil. It was reported Biostimulation is a process in which the indigenous
that the oil affected about 1300 miles of shoreline and microorganisms are stimulated with oxygen supply, optimized
considered as one of the most devastating man-made temperature and pH conditions [81,82] and appropriate nutrient
environmental tragedies to ever to occur at sea. Various supplements to ensure that the microbial growth is sustained so
methods from high-pressured dispersant to hot water beach that they can effectively degrade contaminants. Other than that,
treatment were used to remove oil from the beaches. the ratios of carbon to other nutrients such as nitrogen and
phosphorus are limited only by carbon [83], hence speeding up
Mechanical methods such as backhoes and other heavy the bioremediation process. However, different strategies are
equipment were also employed to dig the beaches in order to used to enhance the rate of degradation process in certain cases
expose the oil underneath so that it could be washed out. such as low or absence of natural communities of degrading
Concurrent to these methods, research focusing on remediation bacteria therefore unable to meet the required demand.
of contaminated area has increased. It is an important tool in
attempts to lessen the environmental contamination. In a The inoculation of an enriched mixed microbial
bioremediation effort, beaches were fertilized to promote consortium into the contaminated site is called as
growth of bacteria that utilize hydrocarbons. This was bioaugmentation [81,82]. As mentioned above, enrichment of
successful on several beaches where the oil was not too thick. degrading microbial communities and inoculation those into the
Some solvents and chemical agents were also used, although contaminated site can be useful for removing oil pollutant from
none extensively [68,69]. the environment thus the best bioaugmentation performance can
be approached [75].
Bioremediation of petroleum hydrocarbons has been
proposed as more economical compared to current conventional Hydrocarbon-degrading Bacillus spp.
technologies, can be carried out on-site with minimal site Microorganisms survive in contaminated habitat because they
disruption, have low energy requirements and most importantly, are metabolically capable of utilizing its resources and can
capable of a complete destruction of the contaminants in a occupy in a suitable niche. Many microorganisms have been
shorter time span and perceived as environmental friendly reported to degrade fuel and diesel oils and distributed in soil
technology [70,71]. In general, bioremediation is defined as the and marine environments [84,85]. This is possible because
process that exploits plants and microorganisms to revert back microorganisms have enzyme systems to degrade and utilize
the contaminated environments to their original state [72,73]. diesel oil as a source of carbon and energy [86]. Previous study
Specifically, it is an organized or spontaneous process that have reported on several genus that have been able to utilize
exploits the catalytic capabilities of living organisms to degrade, hydrocarbon such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Proteus,
transform and/or detoxify organic contaminants to less or non- Aeruginosa, Klebsiella, Aeromonas, Micrococcus, Serratia,
toxic products in order to reduce the environmental pollution Acinetobacter, and Flavobacterium [87,88]. Such bacterial
[74] to a safer environmental levels. genera of Acinetobacter, Arthrobacter, Bacillus,
Corynebacterium, Flavobacterium, Vibrio and Pseudomonas
Bioremediation are the one of the most effective methods contain species that together can degrade most constituents of
and give more advantages over the conventional methods to crude oil, including the aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, and
cleaning up hydrocarbons environmental contamination. The polycyclic [89].
advantages of bioremediation include small capital
expenditures, less energy requirement, fairly inexpensive and The normal, branched, cyclic alkenes and aromatics
also greater removal of contaminant with less disturbance to the compound in diesel were shown to be readily biodegradable by
environment [75]. By this process, it will lowered the public’s bacteria [90]. A large number of bacterial genera have been
health and safety compared to the conventional systems [76]. identified as being involved in crude oil degradation. Among
the bacteria, Bacillus sp. have been reported have diesel-
Conversely, bioremediation also have some disadvantages degradation ability [91–93]. Diesel-oil degrading Bacillus
such as slow process and may not removes all quantities of strains have been isolated from a number of oil polluted sites
contaminants [77]. Furthermore, there will be limited areas for [94–96].
bioremediation application. Last but not least, bioremediation
also need a stronger scientific basis for rational designing of
process and success while requiring an extensive monitoring
[78].

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 BSTR, 2018, Vol 6, No 2, 14-21

The genus Bacillus is a Gram positive, rod-shaped lichenformis DHT capable to degrade wide range of
hydrocarbons and yield biosurfactant as the
bacterium which sporulate in aerobic environment. This genus side product
belongs to the class of Bacilli and family of Bacillaceae. They Bacillus cibi Used in bacterial consortium study which [115]
can be obligate aerobes or facultative anaerobes, motile, and and Bacillus demonstrated an outstanding sludge
have positive production of cytochrome C oxidase and catalase megaterium degradation capacity in liquid medium (90.7%
reduction of aliphatic fraction, 51.8% of
[97]. According to Kumar and Lѐon [98], Bacillus species are aromatic fraction)
able to grow in minimal salt, commonly found as mesophilic Bacillus pumilus Naphthalene degrading strain isolated from [94]
with temperature optima between 30 and 45°C with small 28-11 oils sludge and proficient in producing
percentage of thermophiles with optimal temperature as high as biosurfactant
65°C. The organism capable to form a distinctive type of resting Bacillus pumilus Used to test the bioaugmentation efficiency of [116]
JLb diesel degradation in contaminated soils
cell called an endospore. During stressful environmental with/without the supplementation of nutrients
conditions, Bacillus cells produce oval endospores that can via fertlizers
remain dormant for extended periods. These characteristics Bacillus pumilus Strain isolated from oil fields of Sivasagar [117]
KS2 (district of Assam), India was able to degrade
originally defined the genus, but not all such species are closely 80.44% of TPH by 4 weeks of aerobic
related. Each bacterium creates only one spore, which is incubation
resistant to heat, cold, radiation, desiccation, and disinfectants Bacillus sp. One of the isolated bacterial species from soil [118]
[71]. and bottom sediments of hypersaline
environments that able to degrade PAHs
Bacillus sp. Ege Showed 60% and 33% of chrysene and [119]
There are several characteristics of the genus Bacillus that B.6.2i naphthalene degradation with more than 30%
are more beneficial over other microorganisms in hydrocarbon of emulsification activity
Bacillus sp. Ege Showed 36% and 55% of chrysene and [119]
biodegradation. Bacillus species display an array of B.1.4ka naphthalene degradation
physiological abilities that permit them to live in a wide range Bacillus Capable to grow obligately on crude oil at high [120]
of habitats, including many extreme habitats such as desert stearothermophilus temperature (optimal at 60°C) and grew best
sands, hot springs, and Arctic soils. Species in the on middle-chain alkanes
Bacillus subtilis Able to utilize petrol fuel as sole carbon and [121]
genus Bacillus can be thermophilic, psychrophilic, acidophilic, energy sources
alkaliphilic, halotolerant, or halophilic and are capable at Bacillus subtilis Strain was isolated based on their proficiency [122]
growing at pH values, temperatures, and salt concentrations 22BN to utilize n-hexadecane and naphthalene
simultaneously while producing surface-active
where few other organisms can survive. This bacterium is compound (rhamnolipid) at 1.5-2.0 g/L
highly resistant to extreme environmental conditions such as Bacillus subtilis Biosurfactant-producing and alkane-degrading [123]
low or no nutrient availability, desiccation, irradiation, H2O2 A1 strain. Biodegradation efficiency of the strain
and chemical disinfections [99]. was about 87% within short period of time (7
days)
Bacillus subtilis First report on the specific species that was [124]
Besides, Bacillus species are commonly available in nature BMT4i (MTCC able to degrade benzo-[a]-pyrene as sole
[100]. Most bacilli are saprophytes and they are the most widely 9447) carbon source
Bacillus subtilis Produce lipopeptide-type biosurfactant, and [125]
represented organisms found in soil, marine [101], and fresh C9 showed fast degradation of alkanes up to C19
water sediments. They are often found in petroleum- Bacillus subtilis Crude oil degrading bacteria used in [91]
contaminated environments [102–107]. A key and pivotal factor DM-04 consortium shake flask study
in the rate of biodegradation of hydrocarbons either in soil or in
liquid phase is based on the survival of microorganisms in
diesel medium after their inoculation. Bacillus can use CONCLUSION
hydrocarbon as their carbon source and energy in order to grow
in diesel media. Hence, gram-positive bacteria particularly Petroleum hydrocarbons and its derivatives such as diesel and
Bacillus species has been attracting interest in both gasoline are one of the most reported pollutants that can be
environmental bioremediation strategies and biotechnological found around the globe. Extensive usage of these xenobiotic
applications. Table 1 shows the list of bacterial species from the compounds for transportation and power generation caused the
genus Bacillus that able to utilize hydrocarbons as their carbon substantial spread of this recalcitrant complex. Due to this, the
source. demand for cleanup of this compound is very critical.
Microorganisms are the minute scavengers that could be found
Table 1. Hydrocarbon-degrading strains from the genus Bacillus. enormously in the environment. Their natural competency to
utilize and manipulate petroleum hydrocarbon components into
Strain Comments Reference(s) less harmful constituents makes the exploitation of microbial
Bacillus badius D1 Alkaliphilic anthracene degrader. Able to [108] flora and fauna more valuable than the mechanical physical and
degrade 50 mg/100 ml of anthracene at pH 9 chemical remediation practice. One of the main vehicles for
within 60 hours.
Bacillus cereus Potent degraders of crude oil isolated from [109] microbial remediation is Bacillus spp. Regarded as one of the
petroleum-refined area in Kaduna, Nigeria potential bioremediator agent, this genus is more beneficial than
other genera in respect to their outstanding defense mechanism.
Bacillus cereus Strain was able to degrade PAHs up to 250 [110]
CPOU13 ppm and optimal pH for degradation was 6-8. The genus’ high rate of survivality also strengthen their ability
The strain degraded 73.46% of phenanthrene, to survive in many polluted environments. Although scientific
anthracene (85.76%), and pyrene (47.88%) reports have proved the remarkable proficiency of this bacterial
within 14 days incubation period.
genus in degrading wide-range of aliphatic and aromatic
Bacillus cereus Isolated from automobile engine and widely [111,112]
DRDU1 used in hydrocarbon degradation studies hydrocarbons, a profound understanding on the total diversity of
Bacillus cereus Anthracene-degrading strain with 98% of [113] biodegradation pathways in this genus remains understudied.
JMG-01 substrate (500 ppm) degradation within 21 Hence, by understanding all the inferior vital feature in the
incubation days
Bacillus The thermophilic bacteria was evaluated for [114] genus catabolic pathway that often overlooked in most study
lichenformis the degradation of Maya crude oil, a type of may enhance the genus overall capability to mineralize these
Mexican heavy oil using bubble column recalcitrant compounds.
reactor
Bacillus A halotolerant and thermotelerant strain [98]

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