Biodegradation of crude oil by bacteria isolated from crude oil contaminated soil – a review

Bioremediation of oil spills requires the identification of microbes which have the ability to degrade hydrocarbons present in the soil or water, so that in case of a large spill these can be stimulated further in order to clean-up the area. The world today is very much dependent on crude oil, either to fuel the vast majority of its mechanized transportation equipment or as the primary feedstock for many of the petrochemical industries. Biological cleaning approach is done by adding microbes which have the potential to consume hydrocarbons to use as a food source, giving out water and carbon dioxide as waste products into the biodegradability of the hydrocarbons in crude oil and oil sludge. The review can be utilized to assess the role of varies factors which controls the success of bioremediation. These factors include the availability of bacteria that can metabolize the contaminant and utilizing it as a sole carbon source under favorable conditions. Based on the review obtained from this research work, bioremediation could be considered as a key component in the clean-up strategy for crude oil and oily sludge contamination.