News & Notes: Bioremediation of Crude Oil Contamination with Acinetobacter sp. A3

Acinetobacter sp. A3 is able to extensively degrade Bombay High Crude Oil (BHCO) and utilize it as the sole source of carbon. A total degradation of 70% BHCO was noted by the end of 120 h of growth of Acinetobacter sp. A3 under shake flask condition, 60% of which was due to biodegradation. In crude oil-contaminated soil (5%) amended with Acinetobacter sp. A3, there was both an increase in colony-forming units (CFU) and crude oil degradation. This is in contrast to a decrease in CFU of the indigenous microorganisms and lower degradation in unamended soil within the same 30-day period. Also, Acinetobacter sp. A3-treated soil permitted better germination of Mung beans (Phaseolus aureus) and growth as evidenced by better length and weight of the plants and chlorophyll content of its leaves, which was attributed to the reduction in phytotoxicity of the crude oil owing to its degradation. This crude oil degradative capability of Acinetobacter sp. A3 could be exploited for bioremediation purposes. Received: 16 December 1996 / Accepted: 10 February 1997