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Banking and Insurance Academic Journal

(BIAJ)
ISSN (Print): 5633-8431 | ISSN (Online): 5381-5923
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HomeBIAJ Vol. 14, No. 2 INFLUENCE OF PLASMIDS ON MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF…
📄 Research Article BIAJ Vol. 14, No. 2 (2026)

INFLUENCE OF PLASMIDS ON MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF CRUDE OIL IN CONTROLLED GROWTH SYSTEMS

Ngozi Ifeoma Chukwu Eze
Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5025 Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Banking and Insurance Academic Journal, Vol. 14, No. 2 (2026), pp. 1-12 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19858868
Open Access Peer Reviewed Research Article

Abstract

This study evaluated the role of plasmid-mediated biodegradation of crude oil by indigenous soil bacteria under optimized growth conditions. Standard microbiological techniques including enrichment culture, turbidometric assay, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, plasmid curing, and biodegradation optimization were employed. Out of the isolates examined, 22 demonstrated significant crude oil-degrading potential, indicated by absorbance values (A₆₀₀nm > 0.3), confirming their ability to utilize crude oil as a sole carbon source. Plasmid curing tests revealed that isolates C1, D1, L2, and J3 retained partial growth after plasmid removal, whereas isolates G2, H4, K4, and I6 lost the ability to grow, suggesting plasmid dependency for crude oil degradation. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns further showed that plasmid-bearing isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics before curing but exhibited approximately 95% sensitivity post-curing. The crude oil-degrading bacteria were identified as members of the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Ochrobactrum, and Enterobacter. Optimal biodegradation occurred under conditions of neutral pH, 35 °C temperature, and 3% crude oil concentration. These findings highlight the importance of plasmid-encoded traits in hydrocarbon degradation and antibiotic resistance, and suggest that such bacteria hold significant promise for bioaugmentation and the bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated environments.
Keywords: ["Plasmid curing","Bioaugmentation","Crude oil degradation","Antimicrobial resistance","Optimization"]
📑 How to Cite This Article
APA 7th Edition:
Ngozi Ifeoma Chukwu Eze (2026). INFLUENCE OF PLASMIDS ON MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF CRUDE OIL IN CONTROLLED GROWTH SYSTEMS. Banking and Insurance Academic Journal, 14(2), 1-12. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19858868
Vancouver Style:
Ngozi Ifeoma Chukwu Eze. INFLUENCE OF PLASMIDS ON MICROBIAL DEGRADATION OF CRUDE OIL IN CONTROLLED GROWTH SYSTEMS. Bank. Insur. Acad. J.. 2026;14(2):1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.19858868
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