Aromatic Hydrocarbon Utilization Ability of Chromohalobacter sp.

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reveal the ability of utilizing different aromatic hydrocarbons (p-hydroxybenzoic acid, naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene) by a halotolerant bacterial strain, Chromohalobacter sp., under saline conditions. The aromatic hydrocarbon degradation pathways were identified. PCR amplification was carried to define the gene zones which codify the dioxygenases of the isolates. The possible gene zones of catechol 1, 2 dioxygenase and protocatechuate 3, and 4 dioxygenase were determined. According to the PCR amplification and enzyme test results Chromohalobacter sp. utilizes aromatic hydrocarbons by the ortho cleavage of the beta-ketoadipate pathway. In this study, it was concluded that this isolate can be used in bioremediation studies of saline environments contaminated with aromatic hydrocarbons.