Growth, Pigmentation, Photosynthesis and Morphological Characterization of Crude Oil degrading Cyanobacterium Phormidium sp. ISC104

The marine environment is highly susceptible to pollution by petroleum, so it is important to understand how microorganisms degrade hydrocarbons. In this research the effects of crude oil on morphological and physiological characterization of the cyanobacterium Phormidium sp. ISC104 were investigated. With respect to the physiological responses, cyanobacterium optimum growth was observed in 1% crude oil. The most of chlorophyll content was observed in control sample. Phycobiliproteins had the highest rate in 1% crude oil. According to biodegradation, the results suggested that Phormidium sp. ISC104 can reduce oil content by 24.54 and 43.82% after 14 and 28 days respectively. In morphological point of view, dimensions of cells were not significantly impressed, although a slightly decrease was observed in 5 and 7% crude oil in comparison to control. This study demonstrated that crude oil doesn’t have destructive effect on cyanobacterium Phormidium sp. ISC104 up to 1%, indicating the potential of this cyanbacteriumin biodegrading this pollutant.