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Nanca CL, Neri KD, Ngo ACR, et al. Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Moderately Halophilic Bacteria from Luzon Salt Beds. J Health Pollut. 2018;8(19):180915doi: 10.5696/2156-9614-8.19.180915.
Nanca, C. L., Neri, K. D., Ngo, A. C. R., Bennett, R. M., & Dedeles, G. R. (2018). Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Moderately Halophilic Bacteria from Luzon Salt Beds. Journal of health & pollution, 8(19), 180915. https://doi.org/10.5696/2156-9614-8.19.180915
Nanca, Carolyn L, et al. "Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Moderately Halophilic Bacteria from Luzon Salt Beds." Journal of health & pollution vol. 8,19 (2018): 180915. doi: https://doi.org/10.5696/2156-9614-8.19.180915
Nanca CL, Neri KD, Ngo ACR, Bennett RM, Dedeles GR. Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Moderately Halophilic Bacteria from Luzon Salt Beds. J Health Pollut. 2018 Sep 10;8(19):180915. doi: 10.5696/2156-9614-8.19.180915. eCollection 2018 Sep. PMID: 30524874; PMCID: PMC6257169.
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J Health Pollut. 2018 Sep 10;8(19):180915. doi: 10.5696/2156-9614-8.19.180915. eCollection 2018 Sep.

Degradation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons by Moderately Halophilic Bacteria from Luzon Salt Beds.

Journal of health & pollution

Carolyn L Nanca, Kimberly D Neri, Anna Christina R Ngo, Reuel M Bennett, Gina R Dedeles

Affiliations

  1. The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
  2. Laboratory of Pure and Applied Microbiology, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
  3. Department of Sciences, Senior High School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
  4. Collection of Microbial Strains, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.
  5. Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines.

PMID: 30524874 PMCID: PMC6257169 DOI: 10.5696/2156-9614-8.19.180915

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are common environmental contaminants which are highly toxic due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. They are released into the environment by incomplete combustion of solid and liquid fuels, accidental spillage of oils and seepage from industrial activities. One of the promising processes mitigating PAHs is through biodegradation. However, conventional microbiological treatment processes do not function well at high salt concentrations. Hence, utilization of halophilic bacteria should be considered.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the ability of halophilic bacteria isolated from local salt beds in Pangasinan and Cavite, the Philippines, to degrade PAHs pyrene, fluorene and fluoranthene.

METHODS: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-tolerant halophilic bacteria collected from two sampling sites were phenotypically characterized, molecularly identified and tested to determine their potential to degrade the PAHs pyrene, fluorene and fluoranthene at a hypersaline condition. Best PAH degraders were then assayed to identify the optimal degradation using such parameters as pH, temperature and PAH concentration. Testing for enzyme degradation was also done to determine their baseline information. Extraction and analysis of degraded PAHs were performed using centrifugation and UV-vis spectrophotometry.

RESULTS: Twelve isolates from both collection sites tolerated and grew in culture with selected PAHs. These were identified into four genera (Halobacillus, Halomonas, Chromohalobacter, and Pontibacillus). Selected best isolates in a series of biodegradation assays with the above-mentioned parameters were Halobacillus B (Collection of Microbial Strains (CMS) 1802) (=trueperi) (Gram-positive) for pyrene and fluoranthene, and Halomonas A (CMS 1901) (Gram-negative) for fluorene. Degrader biomass and PAH degradation were invariably negatively correlated. Qualitative tests with and without peptone as a nitrogen source implied enzymatic degradation.

DISCUSSION: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons utilized by these halophilic bacteria served as a sole source of carbon and energy. Implications of biodegradation of the two best isolates show that high molecular weight (HMW) (4-ring) pyrene tends to be degraded better by Gram-positive bacteria and low molecular weight (3-ring) fluorene by Gram-negative degraders.

CONCLUSIONS: Halophilic bacteria constitute an untapped natural resource for biotechnology in the Philippines. The present study demonstrated their potential use in bioremediation of recalcitrant hydrocarbons in the environment.

COMPETING INTERESTS: The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Keywords: biodegradation; fluoranthene; fluorene; halophiles; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; pyrene; salt bed

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