BIODEGRADATION OF PETROLEUM BY FUNGI ISOLATED FROM UNPOLLUTED TROPICAL SOIL

Abstract

Bioremediation studies on the capabilities of Aspergillus niger A1, Candida sp C10 and Rhizopus stolonifer R7 isolated from unpolluted soil in Minna, Niger State Nigeria was investigated and rate of degradation measured by weight loss. Aspergillus niger A1, exhibited the highest ability in degrading the crude oil than Candida sp C10, and Rhizopus stolonifer R7. Aspergillus niger A1 degraded 53.7% of the crude oil after 16 days period of incubation while Candida sp C10 and Rhizopus stolonifer R7 degraded 45.0% and 35.0% respectively over the same period of incubation.. The result obtained demonstrated that the three fungi isolates are competent petroleum degrading organisms and may be used as best approaches to restoring oil contaminated environments through bioremediation process.