Informatics Publishing Limited

Najmuddin Mulani ¹, Abhay B. Fulke ¹, Edna D’Souza ¹, Anirudh Ram ¹, Aayushi Maloo ¹, Faraz Sayed ¹, S. N. Gajbhiye ¹

Affiliations
1 CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Lokhandwala Road, Four Bungalows, Andheri (West), Mumbai-400 053, IN

Abstract

The marine environment is open to large sources of toxic organic waste in the form of accidental oil spills. Therefore, it is important to study microbial degradation processes that help reduce the damage caused to the environment. Universally, oil spills produce enormous public anxiety and highlight the need for cost effective, indigenous and environmentally acceptable bioremediation technologies. In recent times, advanced remedial techniques have been opted, such as solidifying, skimming, controlled burning and bioremediation. The present study aimed to isolate crude oil-degrading marine bacteria from Vadinar coastal area of Gujarat, India. Among seven isolates, three potential bacterial strains were chosen for crude oil and petroleum hydrocarbon (PHC) degradation, which were analysed by UV spectrophotometric and fluorometric analysis. These bacterial cultures were verified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and identified as Bacillus species. Phylogenetic analysis was carried out to confirm the evolutionary relationship with existing oil-degrading species. In the present study, drop collapse, oil spreading and emulsification assay were performed to detect biosurfactant production. Bacillus sp. NM1 KT354277 was capable of degrading 50% of PHCs at the end 72 h for one week under rotary incubation in ONR7a medium. Among the studied strains, Bacillus sp. NM3 KT354278 showed promising lipase activity, viz. 60.72 and 61.19 U ml^-1 for 2% of olive oil and tributyrin respectively. Thus, the present study explores indigenous marine isolates that could be utilized as a potential alternative for oilspill remediation in future.

Keywords

Bioremediation, Crude Oil, Lipase, Marine Bacterial Isolates, Spectrofluorometer.

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Santosh Gaikwad ¹, Sabyasachi Sautya ¹, Udita Basu ¹, Anirudh Ram ¹, Sanofar Khokher ²

Affiliations
1 CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Mumbai 400 053, IN
2 Fisheries Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Port Okha 361 350, IN

Abstract

The genus Aplysia (Gastropoda:Opisthobranchia) with reduced shell and exposed body unlike other gastropods is an inter to sub-tidal herbivore, also commonly known as sea hare. It is widely distributed between 40°N and 40°S lat. and controls benthic primary production of macrophytes. Of the 34 Aplysia species found in the world oceans, 7 have been reported from the Indian coastline, including Aplysia oculifera.

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