Abstract
Petroleum hydrocarbons from human activities are a major source of soil contamination, especially in developing countries like India. This study explores the bioremediation potential of hydrocarbon-degrading fungi isolated from oil-contaminated soils. Various fungi including Fusarium sp., Rhizopus sp., Trichoderma harzianum and Aspergillus versicolor were found to efficiently degrade hydrocarbons such as naphthalene, acenaphthene, and anthracene. Methylene blue reduction tests and biomass analysis confirmed their strong hydrocarbon biodegradation ability. Results demonstrated that fungal isolates could effectively degrade hydrocarbons, with Fusarium and Trichoderma species showing the highest efficiency. The study highlights fungi as eco-friendly, cost-effective candidates for cleaning up petroleum hydrocarbon-polluted soils. The findings suggest that indigenous fungi can be developed into bioremediation agents for sustainable and environment-friendly management of hydrocarbon pollution.
