Cultural Characterization of Fungi Isolated From Oil Contaminated Soils

Application of Fungi for effective removal of hydrocarbon contamination from soil is being considered as the better option when it comes to biodegradation. Other method like physical and chemical bioremediation leads to production of toxic compounds and these methods are not cost effective. In the present study, soil samples from four different oil contaminated soils were assessed for any recovery of fungi present. Cultural characterization was used as preliminary identification using keys.  Initial isolation from the oil contaminated soil was done using potato dextrose agar.  Colonies were observed and characterized morphologically. The isolates were grown at varied temperatures and pH. Eight fungal isolates were recovered from polluted soils namely, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma spirale, Neosartorya pseudofischeri, Neosartorya aureola, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus terreus, Penicillium griseofulvum and Trichoderma longibrachiatum .  The optimum growth temperature range for the eight fungi was 30 o C and 40 o C.  There was no growth at 50 o C for all isolates except some slight growth by Aspergillus flavus .  Optimum growth at pH 7 and pH 9 and poor growth at pH 5 was noted. This study will contribute to the database on locally available fungal diversity and their ecology. Keywords .  Fungi, Bioremediation, oil contamination, biodegradation