Biodegradation potential of hydrocarbon-assimilating tropical fungi

Abstract Strains of hydrocarbon-degrading fungi were isolated from tropical polluted environments in Indonesia: a forest soil and the sediments of a river which had been contaminated by petroleum spills. The biodegradation potential of these isolates was monitored by measuring the degradation rate of total petroleum, saturated hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, resins and asphaltenes. Members of the genera Aspergillus, Penicillium, Gliocladium, Emericella, Graphium, Acremonium, Eupenicilium and Talaromyces were identified. The most active strains in the assimilation of saturates and aromatics were Emericella nidulans, Graphiwn putredinis, Eupenicillium javanicum and Aspergillus flavipes . Some isolates degraded significantly the resins and asphaltenes. Monospecific cultures were as efficient as mixed cultures. The degradative capacities were not constant within a species and this metabolic activity cannot be used in taxonomic studies.