Statistical optimisation of growth conditions and diesel degradation by the Antarctic bacterium, Rhodococcus sp. strain AQ5‒07

摘要: Petroleum pollution is a major concern in Antarctica due to the persistent nature of its hydrocarbon components coupled with region’s extreme environmental conditions, which means that bioremediation approaches are largely inapplicable at present. The current study assessed ability psychrotolerant phenol-degrader, Rhodococcus sp. strain AQ5-07, assimilate diesel fuel as sole carbon source. Factors expected influence efficiency degradation, including initial concentration, nitrogen source concentration and type, temperature, pH salinity were studied. Strain AQ5-07 displayed optimal cell growth biodegradation activity 1% v/v 1 g/L NH4Cl 7 NaCl during one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) analyses. was based on optimum temperature being near 20 °C. In conventionally optimised media, showed total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) mineralisation 75.83%. However, condition for TPH predicted through statistical response surface methodology (RSM) enhanced reduction 90.39% within 2 days incubation. Our preliminary data support potential candidate real-field soil by specifically adopting sludge-phase bioreactor system chronically cold environments such Antarctica. also confirmed utility RSM medium optimisation.