Seleção e identificação de bactérias associadas a isópteros (cupins), coletadas no município de Coari, região do Médio Solimões, com potencial para degradar petróleo

Abstract

Oil also known as crude oil is a dark liquid of variable composition, usually less dense than water. Composing a mixture of large number of different organic and inorganic compounds, which in turn contribute to make it a complex blend. Due to the increasing consumption of fossil fuels, petroleum is one of humanity's most important consumer products. Undeniable technological and even social advances come from the post-oil era. However, the dependence of the population on oil products has caused many types of ecosystems (terrestrial and aquatic) serious environmental damage. In this way, the search for alternatives that aim to mitigate these impacts has been growing significantly, among them the bioremediation. This technique uses living organisms, especially microorganisms with the objective of degrading environmental pollutants. In this context, a previous study isolated the Enterobacter cloacae bacteria from samples of termites, collected on the Coari-Itapeuá Road in the Municipality of Coari, its identification was confirmed by sequencing the 16S gene. Biodegradation tests carried out in the laboratory have confirmed the ability of this bacterium to degrade oil. The objective of this research was to select and identify bacteria associated with isoptera collected from the Middle Solimões Region with potential to degrade oil. After the identification, tests were carried out to verify its growth profile in oil culture medium as the only source of carbon and energy, as well as cell hydrophobicity tests, biosurfactant and bioemulsifier production. However, more studies are needed to effectively prove the potential of this microorganism to degrade oil, that is, to use it in bioremediation techniques.