Screening of Culturable Antarctic Soil Bacteria for Growth on Hydrocarbon-Supplemented Media at Low Temperature
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15649/2346075X.6477Keywords:
Antarctic microorganisms, bioremediation, hydrocarbons, cold-adapted bacteriaAbstract
Introduction. Accidental hydrocarbon contamination is a global concern because of its adverse effects on human health, soils, water bodies, and natural ecosystems. Even remote and protected regions, such as Antarctica, have been affected by anthropogenic activities related to shipping and fuel supply. Bioremediation in these extreme environments faces limitations associated with low temperatures, reduced bacterial metabolite production, and decreased bacterial diversity. Objectives. To obtain mixed groups of bacterial isolates from Antarctic soils using hydrocarbon-supplemented media as a screening strategy for bioprospecting aimed at bioremediation. Materials and Methods. Soil samples were collected from six sites on King George Island, Antarctica. Initial bacterial isolation from Antarctic soils was performed at 9°C for 6 weeks using arginine–glycerol agar and yeast extract–malt agar. Subsequently, qualitative growth screening was performed on Bushnell–Haas agar supplemented with six different hydrocarbons—benzene, cyclohexane, diesel, dichloromethane, n-hexane, and toluene—using two exposure methods. Results. A total of 34 morphologically distinct mixed groups of isolates were obtained from the six sampling points. Groups recovered from sampling points closest to the Antarctic research station (Points 4–6, particularly Point 5) showed growth on hydrocarbon-supplemented media, particularly in the presence of diesel (growth in 100% of the assays) and toluene (growth in 50% of the assays). Conclusions. These findings confirm that Antarctic soils harbor native bacterial groups capable of growing on hydrocarbon-supplemented media at low temperatures. The highest growth frequencies were observed with diesel (100%) and toluene (50%). Therefore, although bacterial growth suggests potential for bioremediation strategies in polar environments and other cold regions, further studies are required to confirm their hydrocarbon-degrading capabilities.
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