Bacterial degradation of motor oil

Bacterial degradation of motor oil was examined by using sediment samples from oil-free and oil-contaminated environments as inocula. Inoculated cultures were incubated under conditions optimizing growth and, in parallel experiments, conditions simulating the natural environment. Cell yields and the extent of degradation of the motor oil were measured. The inocula from oil-contaminated environments produced greater growth on motor oil under simulated natural conditions than did inocula from oil-free environments cultured under optimum conditions.