Isolation, Screening and Identification of Benzene Degrading Bacterium, Pseudomonas putida

The BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene) compounds are hydrocarbon pollutants that are considered as significant threat to the health and environment. Among BTEX, benzene is of major concern, because it is soluble, mobile, toxic, carcinogenic and one of the most stable aromatic compounds especially in ground and surface waters. Microbial degradation of benzene in aerobic environment has been successful, however, it is poorly biodegraded in anaerobic conditions. Pseudomonas species are common in aerobic bioremediation of benzene. The objective of this study was to identify the Benzene degrading Pseudomonas putida. Dilution plating was used to quantify the numbers of Pseudomonas putida, and DNA sequence analysis was used to identify Pseudomonas putida species. Pseudomonas putida was identified basing on the microscopic observations and Biochemical characterization. It was ultimately confirmed based on DNA sequence (16S rRNA sequence) analysis and finally concluded by BLAST analysis by constructing a phylogenetic tree.