Biodegradation of heavy C oil by Alcanivorax sp. a1 strain isolated from recovered bunker oil spilt in the 'Solar I' accident

Original Abstract: The genus Alcanivorax is known as a petroleum hydrocarbon degrader and primarily contributes to bioremediation process of hydrocarbon pollution in petroleum-contaminated marine environments. In the present study, biodegradability of heavy C oil constituents by Alcanivorax sp. a1 strain, isolated from bunker oil recovered from the 'Solar1' oil spill accident offshore the Guimaras Island, the Philippines in 2006, was investigated. The isolate showed remarkable growth in UPFe medium supplemented with heavy C oil. Reduction of the hydrocarbon constituents including n-alkanes, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and alkylated PAHs were observed in the culture, suggesting their biodegradation by the isolate a1.