New Pusillimonas thiosulfatoxidans 1/8an strain isolated from oil-contaminated soil for oil biodegradation in Kazakhstan

The oil-oxidizing 1/8an strain was isolated from the oil-contaminated soil in the Atyrau region, Kazakhstan. Based on the analysis of 16S rRNA sequences, the strain was identified as Pusillimonas thiosulfatoxidans. The strain effectively decomposed crude oil at 10 and 30 ℃ and showed the ability to degrade oil at 50 ℃. Gas chromatographic analysis showed that the strain degraded medium- and long-chain n-alkanes. The strain degraded oil in high salinity (up to 10%). The study of the influence of the medium's pH on oil degradation showed that the strain degraded oil in both acidic (pH 5) and alkaline (pH 9) environments. The strain degraded both light and heavy oils. Thus, the P. thiosulfatoxidans 1/8an strain can be used in the bioremediation of oil-contaminated soils under extreme conditions.