Assessment of diesel fuel uptake by fungi isolated from petroleum contaminated soil

Abstract

The aim of this research was to isolate and identify the fungi from petroleum-contaminated soil, to test their ability to grow in the presence of diesel fuel and uptake it in solid and broth media. Among 16 isolated and identified filamentous fungi, six were tested to determine their growth on media enriched with diesel fuel as a sole carbon source. All tested isolates showed different degree of diesel fuel utilization. Colony diameter was measured, where the highest colony growth dynamics ratio was demonstrated for Penicillium sp. (74.16%) and Cladosporium sp. (71.43%), and the lowest for Absidia spinosa (23.15%). Results of dry mass measurements demonstrated the highest potential of A. strictum (71.43%) to utilize diesel fuel in broth medium. All other tested isolates showed insignificant dry mass production ratio values. The highest utilization degree was documented for A. strictum (60.28 %) and the lowest for Penicillium sp. (25.18%). [Project of the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Grant no. 173032]