Degradation of crude oil by an arctic microbial consortium

The ability of a psychrotolerant microbial consortium to degrade crude oil at low temperatures was investigated. The enriched arctic microbial community was also tested for its ability to utilize various hydrocarbons, such as long-chain alkanes (n-C₂₄ to n-C₃₄), pristane, (methyl-)naphthalenes, and xylenes, as sole carbon and energy sources. Except for o-xylene and methylnaphthalenes, all tested compounds were metabolized under conditions that are typical for contaminated marine liquid sites, namely at pH 6–9 and at 4–27°C. By applying molecular biological techniques (16S rDNA sequencing, DGGE) nine strains could be identified in the consortium. Five of these strains could be isolated in pure cultures. The involved strains were closely related to the following genera: Pseudoalteromonas (two species), Pseudomonas (two species), Shewanella (two species), Marinobacter (one species), Psychrobacter (one species), and Agreia (one species). Interestingly, the five isolated strains in different combinations were unable to degrade crude oil or its components significantly, indicating the importance of the four unculturable microorganisms in the degradation of single or of complex mixtures of hydrocarbons. The obtained mixed culture showed obvious advantages including stability of the consortium, wide range adaptability for crude oil degradation, and strong degradation ability of crude oil.     

Diesel and Kerosene Degradation by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas desmolyticum</Emphasis> NCIM 2112 and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nocardia hydrocarbonoxydans</Emphasis> NCIM 2386

Pseudomonas desmolyticum NCIM 2112 (Pd 2112) and Nocardia hydrocarbonoxydans NCIM 2386 (Nh 2386) demonstrated an ability to degrade diesel and kerosene. Triton X-100 had enhanced the diesel degradation process by reducing the time required for the maximum utilization of total petroleum hydrocarbon. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectrum of degraded diesel indicates the presence of aliphatic and aromatic aldehydes, C=C aromatic nuclei, and substituted benzenes. Surface tension reduction and stable emulsification was increased using consortium when compared to individual strains. Triton X-100 showed increase in microbial attachment to hydrocarbon among the various chemical surfactants tested. For generating a rapid assay to screen microorganisms capable of degrading kerosene, the acetaldehyde produced in the degradation process could be used as an indicator of degradation. These results indicate diesel and kerosene degradation ability of both of the strains.     

Effects of biosurfactants produced by Candida antarctica on the biodegradation of petroleum compounds

The effects of biosurfactants on the biodegradation of petroleum compounds were investigated. Candida antarctica T-34 could produce extracellular biosurfactant mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) when it was cultured in vegetable oil. In addition, in our previous study, it was found that this strain could also produce a new type of biosurfactant while it grew on n-undecane (C₁₁H₂₄), and the biosurfactant was named as BS-UC. In flask culture of Candida antarctica, the addition of BS-UC could improve the biodegradation rate of some n-alkanes (e.g. 90.2% for n-decane, 90.2% for n-undecane, 89.0% for dodecane), a mixture of n-alkanes (82.3%) and kerosene (72.5%). By comparing the effects of the biosurfactants BS-UC and MEL and chemical surfactants on the biodegradation of crude oil, it was found that biosurfactants could be used to enhance the degradation of petroleum compounds instead of chemical surfactants. In a laboratory scale immobilized bioreactor, the addition of biosurfactant improved not only the emulsification of kerosene in simulated wastewater but also its biodegradation rate. The highest degradation rate of kerosene by addition of MEL and BS-UC reached 87 and 90% at 15 h, respectively. The results showed that the biosurfactant BS-UC was highly promising for work on biodegradation of hydrophobic contaminants.     

The Potential of Bacterial Isolates for Emulsification with a Range of Hydrocarbons

A study was undertaken to investigate the distribution of biosurfactant producing and crude oil degrading bacteria in the oil contaminated environment. This research revealed that hydrocarbon contaminated sites are the potent sources for oil degraders. Among 32 oil degrading bacteria isolated from ten different oil contaminated sites of gasoline and diesel fuel stations, 80% exhibited biosurfactant production. The quantity and emulsification activity of the biosurfactants varied. Pseudomonas sp. DS10‐129 produced a maximum of 7.5 ± 0.4 g/l of biosurfactant with a corresponding reduction in surface tension from 68 mN/m to 29.4 ± 0.7 mN/m at 84 h incubation. The isolates Micrococcus sp. GS2‐22, Bacillus sp. DS6‐86, Corynebacterium sp. GS5‐66, Flavobacterium sp. DS5‐73, Pseudomonas sp. DS10‐129, Pseudomonas sp. DS9‐119 and Acinetobacter sp. DS5‐74 emulsified xylene, benzene, n‐hexane, Bombay High crude oil, kerosene, gasoline, diesel fuel and olive oil. The first five of the above isolates had the highest emulsification activity and crude oil degradation ability and were selected for the preparation of a mixed bacterial consortium, which was also an efficient biosurfactant producing oil emulsifying and degrading culture. During this study, biosurfactant production and emulsification activity were detected in Moraxella sp., Flavobacterium sp. and in a mixed bacterial consortium, which have not been reported before.     

Bioremediation of Soil Artificially Contaminated with Petroleum Hydrocarbon Oil Mixtures: Evaluation of the Use of Animal Manure and Chemical Fertilizer

The search for cheaper and environmentally friendly options of enhancing petroleum hydrocarbon degradation has continued to elicit research interest. One of such options is the use of animal manure as biostimulating agents. A combination of treatments consisting of the application of poultry manure, piggery manure, goat manure, and chemical fertilizer was evaluated in situ during a period of 4 weeks of remediation. Each treatment contained petroleum hydrocarbon mixture (kerosene, diesel oil, and gasoline mixtures) (10% w/w) in soil as a sole source of carbon and energy. After 4 weeks of remediation, the results showed that poultry manure, piggery manure, goat manure, and NPK (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potash [potassium]) fertilizer exhibited 73%, 63%, 50%, and 39% total petroleum hydrocarbon degradation, respectively. Thus, all the biostimulating treatment strategies showed the ability to enhance petroleum hydrocarbon microbial degradation. However, poultry manure, piggery manure, and goat manure treatments showed greater petroleum hydrocarbon reductions than NPK fertilizer treatment. A first-order kinetic equation was fitted to the biodegradation data and the specific degradation rate constant (k) values obtained showed that the order of effectiveness of these biostimulating strategies in the cleanup of soil contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbon mixtures (mixture of kerosene, diesel oil, and gasoline) is NPK fertilizer < goat manure < piggery manure < poultry manure. Therefore, this present work has indicated that the application of poultry manure, piggery manure, goat manure, and chemical fertilizer could enhance petroleum hydrocarbon degradation with poultry manure, showing a greater effectiveness and thus could be one of the severally sought environmentally friendly ways of remediating natural ecosystem contaminated with crude oil.     

Preferential utilization of petroleum oil hydrocarbon components by microbial consortia reflects degradation pattern in aliphatic–aromatic hydrocarbon binary mixtures

In this study, the abilities of two microbial consortia (Y and F) to degrade aliphatic–aromatic hydrocarbon mixtures were investigated. Y consortium preferentially degraded the aromatic hydrocarbon fractions in kerosene, while F consortium preferentially degraded the aliphatic hydrocarbon fractions. Degradation experiments were performed under aerobic conditions in sealed bottles containing liquid medium and n-octane or n-decane as representative aliphatic hydrocarbons or toluene, ethylbenzene or p-xylene as representative aromatic hydrocarbons (all at 100 mg/l). Results demonstrated that the Y consortium degraded p-xylene more rapidly than n-octane. It degraded toluene, ethylbenzene and p-xylene more rapidly than decane. In comparison, the F consortium degraded n-octane more rapidly than toluene, ethylbenzene or p-xylene, and n-decane more rapidly than toluene, ethylbenzene or p-xylene. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the Y consortium was dominated by Betaproteobacteria and the F consortium by Gammaproteobacteria, and in particular Pseudomonas. This could account for their metabolic differences. The substrate preferences of the two consortia showed that the aliphatic–aromatic hydrocarbon binary mixtures, especially the n-decane–toluene/ethylbenzene/p-xylene pairs, reflected their degradation ability of complex hydrocarbon compounds such as kerosene. This suggests that aliphatic–aromatic binary systems could be used as a tool to rapidly determine the degradation preferences of a microbial consortium.     

Nutrient Amendments of Inorganic Fertiliser and Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch and Their Influence on Bacterial Species Dominance and Degradation of the Associated Crude Oil Constituents

The effects of inorganic commercial fertiliser (N:P:K = 8:8:1) and oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) as nutrient amendments for crude oil degradation and microbial population shift by a microbial consortium [Pseudomonas sp. (UKMP-14T), Acinetobacter sp. (UKMP-12T), Trichoderma sp. (TriUKMP-1M and TriUKMP-2M)] were assessed. The bacterial populations present during crude oil degradation were analysed by spread plate method and 16S rRNA sequences, whereas the presence of fungi was assessed by growth on potato dextrose agar. Crude oil degradation analysed using gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection showed total petroleum hydrocarbon reduced between 70 and 100%, depending on the type of amendments compared to control (≈55%) after 30 days of incubation. Nutrient amendments using NPK fertiliser or EFB were found to influence the domination of different bacterial species, which in turn preferentially utilised different hydrocarbons. This study suggested different nutrient amendments could be used to preferentially select bacteria to degrade different components of crude oil, particularly pertaining to the recalcitrant phytane. This information is very useful for application of in situ bioremediation of soil hydrocarbon contamination.     

Influence of UV irradiation on microbiological degradation of petroleum products

Changes in the rates of microbiological degradation of kerosene, diesel fuel, and fuel oil under the effect of UV irradiation were estimated by testing the respiratory activity of microbial communities. The strongest inhibitory effect was observed upon simultaneous UV irradiation of both natural water and petroleum products. Concentrations of CO₂ in the microbial communities (microcosms) decreased from 6.7 to 3.6 vol. % upon oxidation of kerosene, from 5.9 to 0.8 vol. % upon oxidation of diesel fuel, and from 5.7 to 0.05 vol. % upon oxidation of fuel oil.     

Effect of Emulsan on Biodegradation of Crude Oil by Pure and Mixed Bacterial Cultures

Crude oil was treated with purified emulsan, the heteropolysaccharide bioemulsifier produced by Acinetobacter calcoaceticus RAG-1. A mixed bacterial population as well as nine different pure cultures isolated from various sources was tested for biodegradation of emulsan-treated and untreated crude oil. Biodegradation was measured both quantitatively and qualitatively. Recovery of ¹⁴CO₂ from mineralized ¹⁴C-labeled substrates yielded quantitative data on degradation of specific compounds, and capillary gas chromatography of residual unlabeled oil yielded qualitative data on a broad spectrum of crude oil components. Biodegradation of linear alkanes and other saturated hydrocarbons, both by pure cultures and by the mixed population, was reduced some 50 to 90% after emulsan pretreatment. In addition, degradation of aromatic compounds by the mixed population was reduced some 90% in emulsan-treated oil. In sharp contrast, aromatic biodegradation by pure cultures was either unaffected or slightly stimulated by emulsification of the oil.     

The properties of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria isolated from the oilfields of Tatarstan, western Siberia, and Vietnam

Eleven strains of hydrocarbon-oxidizing bacteria, isolated from oilfields and representing the genera Rhodococcus, Gordonia, Dietzia, and Pseudomonas, were characterized as mesophiles and neutrophiles. Rhodococci were halotolerant microorganisms growing in a media containing up to 15% NaCl. All the strains oxidized n-alkanes of crude oil. An influence of the cultivation temperatures (28 or 45°C) and organic supplements on the degradation of C₁₂-C₃₀ n-alkanes in oxidized oil by two bacterial strains of the genus Pseudomonas was shown. The introduction of acetate, propionate, butyrate, ethanol, and sucrose led mainly to decreased oxidation of petroleum paraffins. At certain cultivation temperatures, the addition of volatile fatty acid salts increased the content of certain n-alkanes in oxidized oil as compared to crude oil.     

Biodegradation of petroleum sludge and petroleum polluted soil by a bacterial consortium: a laboratory study

This article presents a study of the efficiency and degradation pattern of samples of petroleum sludge and polluted sandy soil from an oil refinery. A bacterial consortium, consisting of strains from the genera Pseudomonas, Achromobacter, Bacillus and Micromonospora, was isolated from a petroleum sludge sample and characterized. The addition of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients and a chemical surfactant to both the samples and bioaugmentation to the soil sample were applied under laboratory conditions. The extent of biodegradation was monitored by the gravimetric method and analysis of the residual oil by gas chromatography. Over a 12-week experiment, the achieved degree of TPH (total petroleum hydrocarbon) degradation amounted to 82–88% in the petroleum sludge and 86–91% in the polluted soil. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was utilized to determine the biodegradability and degradation rates of n-alkanes, isoprenoids, steranes, diasteranes and terpanes. Complete degradation of the n-alkanes and isoprenoids fractions occurred in both the samples. In addition, the intensities of the peaks corresponding to tricyclic terpenes and homohopanes were decreased, while significant changes were also observed in the distribution of diasteranes and steranes.     

Biodegradation of a crude oil by three microbial consortia of different origins and metabolic capabilities

Microbial consortia were obtained three by sequential enrichment using different oil products. Consortium F1AA was obtained on a heavily saturated fraction of a degraded crude oil; consortium TD, by enrichment on diesel and consortium AM, on a mixture of five polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons [PAHs]. The three consortia were incubated with a crude oil in order to elucidate their metabolic capabilities and to investigate possible differences in the biodegradation of these complex hydrocarbon mixtures in relation to their origin. The efficiency of the three consortia in removing the saturated fraction was 60% (F1AA), 48% (TD) and 34% (AM), depending on the carbon sources used in the enrichment procedures. Consortia F1AA and TD removed 100% of n-alkanes and branched alkanes, whereas with consortium AM, 91% of branched alkanes remained. Efficiency on the polyaromatic fraction was 19% (AM), 11% (TD) and 7% (F1AA). The increase in aromaticity of the polyaromatic fraction during degradation of the crude oil by consortium F1AA suggested that this consortium metabolized the aromatic compounds primarily by oxidation of the alkylic chains. The 500-fold amplification of the inocula from the consortia by subculturing in rich media, necessary for use of the consortia in bioremediation experiments, showed no significant decrease in their degradation capability. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 252–260 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000236 Received 12 July 2001/ Accepted in revised form 11 November 2001     

Enhancement of lipase production from hydrocarbons by mutation of Trichosporon fermentans

Lipase high-producing mutants with petroleum products as carbon sources were successfully induced from Trichosporon fermentans WU-C12 by ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. In the first mutation step, one mutant strain, PU-30, derived from strain WU-C12 was selected. The productivity of extracellular lipase of PU-30 reached 58 units (U)/ml in the medium containing kerosene, being approximately twice the productivity of the parental strain WU-C12. In the second mutation step, the mutant strain 2PU-18 was induced from strain PU-30. In medium containing kerosene, gas oil and liquid paraffin, the 2PU-18 produced 70 U/ml, 62 U/ml and 60 U/ml of extracellular lipase, respectively. When various n-alkanes (C₈-C₁₈) were used as carbon sources, the parental strain WU-C12 produced more than 20 U/ml of lipase only from C₉-C₁₂ alkanes, but 2PU-18 could produce more than 50 U/ml of lipase from C₈-C₁₈ alkanes. When cultivated for 3 days in medium containing liquid paraffin, the activity ratios of extracellular lipase to total lipase and the values of extracellular lipase activity per dry-cell weight were 0.44 and 0.65 U/mg for WU-C12, and 0.62 and 1.82 U/mg for 2PU-18, respectively. These results indicate that the mutant strain 2PU-18 is superior in both total lipase productivity and permeability of lipase to the parental strain WU-C12 when petroleum products are used as carbon sources. Correspondence to: S. Usami     

Molecular diversity analysis and bacterial population dynamics of an adapted seawater microbiota during the degradation of Tunisian zarzatine oil

The indigenous microbiota of polluted coastal seawater in Tunisia was enriched by increasing the concentration of zarzatine crude oil. The resulting adapted microbiota was incubated with zarzatine crude oil as the only carbon and energy source. Crude oil biodegradation capacity and bacterial population dynamics of the microbiota were evaluated every week for 28 days (day 7, day 14, day 21, and day 28). Results show that the percentage of petroleum degradation was 23.9, 32.1, 65.3, and 77.8%, respectively. At day 28, non-aromatic and aromatic hydrocarbon degradation rates reached 92.6 and 68.7%, respectively. Bacterial composition of the adapted microflora was analysed by 16S rRNA gene cloning and sequencing, using total genomic DNA extracted from the adapted microflora at days 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Five clone libraries were constructed and a total of 430 sequences were generated and grouped into OTUs using the ARB software package. Phylogenetic analysis of the adapted microbiota shows the presence of four phylogenetic groups: Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes. Diversity indices show a clear decrease in bacterial diversity of the adapted microflora according to the incubation time. The Proteobacteria are the most predominant (>80%) at day 7, day 14 and day 21 but not at day 28 for which the microbiota was reduced to only one OTU affiliated with the genus Kocuria of the Actinobacteria. This study shows that the degradation of zarzatine crude oil components depends on the activity of a specialized and dynamic seawater consortium composed of different phylogenetic taxa depending on the substrate complexity.     

Verification of Degradation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Alkanes in Diesel Oil by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> Strain WatG in Soil Microcosms

Degradation of n-alkanes in diesel oil by Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain WatG (WatG) was verified in soil microcosms. The total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) degradation level in two bioaugmentation samples was 51% and 46% for 1 week in unsterilized and sterilized soil microcosms, respectively. The TPH degradation in the biostimulation was of control level (15%). The TPH degradation in aeration-limited samples was clearly reduced when compared with that in aeration-unlimited ones under both sterilized and unsterilized conditions. Addition of WatG into soil microcosms was accompanied by dirhamnolipid production only in the presence of diesel oil. These findings suggest that degradation of n-alkanes in diesel oil in soil microcosms would be facilitated by bioaugmentation of WatG, with production of dirhamnolipid, and also by participation of biostimulated indigenous soil bacteria.     

Comparative hydrocarbon utilization by hydrophobic and hydrophilic variants of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Aims: To investigate hydrocarbon degradation by hydrophobic, hydrophilic and parental strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Methods and Results: Partitioning of hydrocarbon‐degrading P. aeruginosa strain in a solvent/aqueous system yielded hydrophobic and hydrophilic fractions. Exhaustive partitioning of aqueous‐phase cells yielded the hydrophilic variants (L), while sequential fractionation of the hydrophobic phase cells yielded successive fractions exhibiting increasing cell‐surface hydrophobicity (CSH). In hydrocarbon adherence assays (bacterial attachment to hydrocarbon), L had a value of 20%, which increased from 61·7% in first hydrophobic fraction (H₁) to 72·2% in the third (H₃). Crude oil degradation by L was 70%, but increased from 82% in H₁ to 93% in H₃. L variant produced most exopolysaccharides and reduced surface tension from about 73 to 49 mN m^?1. Rhamnolipid production was highest in L, but was not detected in all crude oil cultures. Conclusions: Hydrophobic subpopulations of hydrocarbon‐degrading P. aeruginosa exhibited greater hydrocarbon‐utilizing ability than hydrophilic ones, or the parental strain. Significance and Impact of the Study: Results demonstrate that a population of P. aeruginosa consists of cells with different CSH which affect hydrocarbon utilization. This potentially provides the population with the capacity to utilize different hydrophobic substrates found in petroleum. Judicious selection of such hydrophobic subpopulations can enhance hydrocarbon pollution bioremediation.     

陕北地区石油污染土壤中不动杆菌属的筛选、鉴定及降解性能

从陕北地区石油污染土壤中分离鉴定得到两株不动杆菌属(Acinetobacter sp.)的高效石油降解菌A.sp 1和A.sp 2,分别从盐浓度、pH值、氮源、磷源和接种量等因素进行研究以确定其最佳石油降解条件,并进一步通过GC-MS(Gas ChromatographyMass Spectrometer)方法分析其在最佳条件下对原油组分的不同降解性能。结果显示:A.sp 1在盐浓度为1%、pH值为6—7、磷源为KH2PO4和K2HPO4、氮源为尿素和接种量为4%的条件下,最高降解率可达到60%。A.sp 2在盐浓度为1%、pH值为7—9、磷源为KH2PO4和K2HPO4、氮源为硝酸铵和接种量为8%的条件下,最高降解率可达到67%。GC-MS分析结果表明,菌株A.sp 1对石油烃类C21—C25有明显的降解效果,菌株A.sp 2对石油烃类C20—C30的降解效果较好。     

Degradation and corrosive activities of fungi in a diesel–mild steel–aqueous system

The fungi Aspergillus fumigatus, Hormoconis resinae and Candida silvicola were isolated from the fuel/water interfacial biomass in diesel storage tanks in Brazil. Their corrosive activities on mild steel ASTM A 283-93-C, used in storage tanks for urban diesel, were evaluated after various times of incubation at 30 °C in a modified Bushnell–Haas mineral medium (without chlorides) with diesel oil as sole source of carbon. Their ability to degrade diesel oil was evaluated after growth for 30 and 60 days. The fungus Aspergillus fumigatus and the consortium of all three organisms showed the highest production of biomass; A. fumigatus gave the greatest value for steel weight loss and produced the greatest reduction in pH of the aqueous phase. Solid phase microextraction (SPME) showed that the main acid present in the aqueous phase after 60 days incubation with A. fumigatus was propionic acid. Polarization curves indicated that microbial activity influenced the anodic process, probably by the production of corrosive metabolites, and that this was particularly important in the case of A. fumigatus. This fungus preferentially degraded aliphatic hydrocarbons of chain lengths C₁₁--C₁₃ in the diesel, producing 47.7, 37.5 and 51% reductions in C₁₁, C₁₂ and C₁₃, respectively. It produced more degradation than the consortium after 60 days incubation. It is likely that the presence of other species in the consortium inhibited the growth of A. fumigatus, thus resulting in a lower rate of diesel fuel degradation.     

Biostimulation of n-Alkane Degradation in Diesel Fuel-Spiked Soils

Nutrient enhancement of bioremediation with nitrogen, namely biostimulation, increases process performance. Selection of a proper nitrogen source is critical for bioremediation applications. In this study, the effects of different nitrogen sources on biodegradation of C₁₀–C₂₅ n-alkane compounds in diesel fuel-spiked soil were revealed, and the most appropriate nitrogen source for biodegradation of semi- and non-volatile n-alkanes was investigated. Bioremediation of diesel fuel contaminated soil was monitored in lab-scale reactors for 15 days. Ammonium sulfate, potassium nitrate and urea were used as nitrogen sources. Carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the reactors were recorded to monitor microbiological activity. Contaminant removal process was investigated by pH, heterotrophic plate count, total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and C₁₀–C₂₅ n-alkane analyses. First-order kinetic constants were calculated via respirometric and contaminant concentration data. According to total C₁₀–C₂₅ n-alkane removal levels and degradation rate constants, ammonium sulfate addition resulted in the most efficient contaminant removal followed by potassium nitrate and urea. Simultaneous degradation of individual n-alkanes was observed for all of the nitrogen sources. Urea addition changed the distribution of individual n-alkane concentrations relative to the pre-experimental concentrations. Nitrogen source type had no differential effect on degradation rates of semi- (C₁₀–C₁₆) and non-volatile (C₁₇–C₂₅) fractions.     

Biodegradation of crude oil by soil microorganisms in the tropic

Five microorganisms, three bacteria and two yeasts, capable of degrading Tapis light crude oil were isolated from oil-contaminated soil in Bangkok, Thailand. Soil enrichment culture was done by inoculating the soil in mineral salt medium with 0.5% v/v Tapis crude oil as the sole carbon source. Crude oil biodegradation was measured by gas chromatography method. Five strains of pure microorganisms with petroleum degrading ability were isolated: three were bacteria and the other two were yeasts. Candida tropicalis strains 7Y and 15Y were identified as efficient oil degraders. Strain 15Y was more efficient, it was able to reduce 87.3% of the total petroleum or 99.6% of n-alkanes within the 7-day incubation period at room temperature of 25 ± 2 °C.