Degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by actinomycetes

Fifteen strains belonging to the group actinomycetes were screened and selected for their ability to degrade the PAH phenanthrene (metabolically or cometabolically) and to produce biosurfactants. Five selected strains were then inoculated into spiked soil contaminated with anthracene, phenanthrene, pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene. Rapeseed oil was used as cosubstrate. After 15 days Rhodococcus sp. DSM 44126 degraded https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> 92 % of the phenanthrene and https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> 30 % of the anthracene without cosubstrate addition. The content of pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene did not change. When rapeseed oil was present, the contents of anthracene and benzo(a)pyrene decreased more than https://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"> 45 % for all the treatments. The amount of phenanthrene and pyrene did not vary in presence of the oil.