ISOLATED BACTERIA FROM HOT SPRINGS ABLE TO USE HYDROCARBONS AS CARBON SOURCE

Petroleum derivates used in energy production are gravely pollutants for the ecosystem, especially for aquatic environments and human health. This study aimed to isolate hydrocarbons-degrading bacteria from hot springs. Three strains of hydrocarbondegrading bacteria strains, belonging to the Bacillus and one of the genus Lysinibacillus were isolated. These strains tolerate temperatures from 65 to 100 ºC and were able to degrade and grow on BH medium supplemented with gasoline and diesel. Strain M2-7 shared 100 % 16S rRNA identity with Bacillus licheniformis and was the only able to degrade pyrene and benzopyrene among these isolated strains. The results indicate that B. licheniformis M2-7 could degrade a wider range of hydrocarbons and some recalcitrant hydrocarbon components, which could be particularly helpful for the treatment and bioremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted systems.