Selective enrichment of naphthalene (PAH) degrading bacteria from a bacterial biofilm sample developed in petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated groundwater

Bacterial biofilms harbour enormous phylogenetic and functional diversity. By using selective enrichment approaches it is possible to enrich and isolate bacteria with increased biotechnological importance (e.g. involved in environmental bioremediation) from environmental biofilms. In this project we aimed at enrichment and isolation of naphthalene degrading bacteria, which subsequently may be used for the biodegradation of PAH compounds found in the environment. Previously, in our previous studies it has been proved that the target biofilm is the source of simple aromatic hydrocarbon degrading bacteria. By using aerobic and oxygen-limited selective enrichment we aimed at identifying naphthalene degrading bacteria which are able of PAH degradation under full aerobic and oxygen-limited conditions.