S. SHRIVASTAVA AND M. GUPTA
Abstract
10 diesel degrading isolates were obtained on serial enrichment of soils obtained from vicinity of three different petrol pumps in Nerul, Navi Mumbai. Of the 10 isolates, the best degrader was selected on the basis of growth in liquid and solid media supplemented with diesel as sole carbon source. The isolate, identified as Acinetobacter sp. was further studied in batch culture for its diesel biodegradation potential under aerobic conditions, and was observed for 7 days where loss in diesel constituents was up to 74%. Germination and growth of Medicago sativa was significantly enhanced in presence of the diesel degrading Acinetobacter isolate in soil contaminated with 3-10%) diesel as compared to uninoculated soil indicating the bioremediation potential of the isolate.