Isolation, characterization and screening of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in Manila Bay

Two strains of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria were isolated from Manila Bay using Oil Salts Medium (OSM). They are Gram + and Gram - cocci, which are colored white and yellow, respectively. Both were able to degrade and utilize hydrocarbon in unleaded, leaded and diesel gasoline. The diesel fraction of gasoline was more readily attacked by both strains than the unleaded gasoline. The least to be degraded was the leaded gasoline due to the presence of element Lead (Pb), a heavy metal, that may hinder the hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria from degrading hydrocarbons. The rate of biodegradation based on the use of rotovap were 84.21%, 46.51 % and 35.42% for strain 0001, and 89.47%, 55.81% and 2.78% for strain 0002, respectively