Agarolytic bacteria with hydrocarbon-utilization potential in fouling material from the Arabian Gulf coast

Fouling material adhering to a neglected navigation vehicle half-sinking in the coastal water of the Arabian Gulf harbored two agarolytic bacterial species, Halomonas aquamarina and Alteromonas macleodii with hydrocarbon-utilization potential. Both species were halophilic (optimum 2–5% NaCl, w/v), slightly alkaliphilic (optimum pH 8) and grew best at 25 °C. The oil and hydrocarbon consumption potential of both species was dramatically enhanced (2 fold or more) by the addition of agar powder to the liquid medium. Both organisms were able to grow on a nitrogen free medium. These results imply that such agarolytic bacteria could potentially be suitable biological systems for self-cleaning and bioremediation of oily marine ecosystems.