Production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and hydrocarbon degradation of bacteria isolated from the northern Gulf of Mexico surface water

Nine bacterial isolates (C1, C5, C8, C12, W10, W11, W13a, W14, W20) that grow on oil and Corexit dispersant were isolated from the northern Gulf of Mexico surface water. All isolates were screened for the production of EPS, both protein and carbohydrates, in culture media that contains water accommodated fraction (WAF) of oil, chemically enhanced water accommodated fraction (CEWAF), and Corexit alone. All isolates were also tested for the degradation of oil and production of extracellular enzymes. The residual concentrations of alkanes and PAHs, exoenzyme activity, and carbohydrates and protein components of the EPS were reported.