n-Alkane-Utilization by Oligocarbophilic Actinomycete Strains from Oil-Polluted Kuwaiti Desert Soil

Among some 50 actinomycete strains with Streptomyces-like morphology isolated from oil - polluted Kuwaiti desert soil, four arbitrary selected strains were characterized for n-alkane utilization. They were practically oligocarbophilic and grew on an inorganic medium without any supplemented organic matter. The growth was enhanced when n-hexadecane, n-octadecane or crude oil was added at the concentration of 1% (w/v). Gas-liquid chromatographic analysis revealed that the biomass of these strains could utilize n-hexadecane and n-octadecane, typical oil constituents. The analysis of the constituent fatty acids of total lipids from the biomass showed that the incubation with n-alkanes resulted in an increase of the fatty acids with chain lengths equivalent to those of the alkane substrates. It was concluded that these oligocarbophilic strains are capable of n-alkane utilization, and hence can be of value in bioremediation technology.