Assessment of Mycoremediation Potential of Fusarium Spp. On Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon in Western India

Motor or engine oil is a lubricant for engines containing majorly of base oils; these base oils include petrol-based hydrocarbons. Petroleum hydrocarbon contamination is one of the major environmental problems resulting from its large scale uses in transportation, industrial and other sectors. Accidental release and workshop seepage of petroleum products are the key concern of the environment. Fresh engine oil contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Used engine oil also leads to further generation of PAHs. As an attempt to clean up such hydrocarbons, bioremediation or biodegradation methods are adapted. Bioremediation is a cost effective and eco-friendly treatment for oil contaminated materials by the use of micro-organisms. The present study is an attempt to isolate and find out hydrocarbon degrading fungi from oil and petroleum contaminated regions. Biodegradation potential of soil mycobiota isolated from automobile mechanic workshop in Virar on engine oil was investigated using standard methods. The most capable oil degrading fungi was identified morphologically by wet mount technique as Fusarium sp. The biodegradation of hydrocarbons and oil was determined by using 2,6 Dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCPIP) assay and gravimetric analysis. The quantitative estimation of engine oil degradation showed rate of degradation as 87% and 89%. This study confirms that isolated Fusarium sp. has the potential exploited in the bio-treatment and removal of hydrocarbons from the polluted soil. Results were recorded in the form of biodegradation percentage of hydrocarbon. The present study and their results can give unique future prospects in the field of bioremediation and biodegradation of petroleum contaminated soil.