title: Improved enrichment and isolation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH)-degrading microorganisms in soil using anthracene as a model PAH.
abstract: Lack of attention to soil and microbial characteristics that influence PAHs degradation has been a leading cause of failures in isolation of efficient PAH degraders and bioaugumentation processes with microbial consortia. This study compared the classic method of isolation of PAHs-degraders with a modified method employing a pre-enrichment respirometric analysis. The modified enrichment of PAH degrading microorganisms using in vitro microcosm resulted to reduced enrichment period and more efficient PAH-degrading microbial consortia. Results indicate that natural soils with strong heterotrophic microbial activity determined through pre-enrichment analysis, are better suited for the isolation of efficient PAH degrading microorganisms with significant reduction of the enrichment period.
authors.affiliation: Center of Rural Sciences, Federal University of Pampa, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo J S
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Jacques
authors.forename: Benedict C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Okeke
authors.forename: Fátima M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Bento
authors.forename: Maria C R
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Peralba
authors.forename: Flávio A O
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Camargo