PCR-based detection of alkane monooxygenase genes in the hydrocarbon and crude oil-degrading Acinetobacter strains from petroleum-contaminated soils

Bacterial strains D11, E1 and E2 isolated from petroleum-contaminated soils were found to be members of Acinetobacter genus revealed by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis and phenotypic characteristics. After incubation for 5 days, about 43%, 9% and 12% of total petroleum hydrocarbons of crude oil were degraded by strains D11, E1 and E2, respectively, determined by GC-MS analysis. Moreover, about 70% and 76% of single hydrocarbon hexadecane was degraded by the strains D11 and E1 after 3 days of short incubation time, respectively, while the strain E2 degraded about 48% of single hydrocarbon pentadecane. By using PCR-based method, gene sequences of the strains D11 and E2 were shown similarity to alkane 1-monooxygenases from Acinetobacter sp. BUU8 alkM with 93.06% and 92.72%, respectively, while the sequence similarity of strain E1 was 95.84% to Acinetobacter sp.826659. The present study of hydrocarbon biodegradation by Acinetobacter strains may provide a good advantage in bioremediation process.