Characterisation of PHA accumulating Bacillus sp associated with petroleum and diesel oil contaminated soil using traditional techniques

The extensive usage of petrochemical plastics, due to their versatile properties especially durability is causing severe problem in waste management affecting the aesthetic qualities of cities, waterbodies and natural areas. Environmental biotechnology has the intention of increasing sustainability of production processes by employing biological systems and thereby benefiting the environment. Microorganisms are a biological system which is generally used for the reduction of pollution from air, aquatic or terrestrial systems. Problems concerning the global environment have created much attention in developing eco-friendly products. The bacterial polymer( PHA) is a alternative for synthetic plastics. In this study, an attempt was made to isolate PHA producing microorganisms from petroleum and diesel oil contaminated sites. The bacterial consortium was screened and confirmed for Bacillus strains producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) by colony morphology and biochemical analysis. The PHA production was confirmed by PHA activity assay. The PHA extract was apparently confirmed by TLC.