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Open access Jul 2026

Microbial-Assisted Nanoparticle Strategies for Bioremediation of Hydrocarbon-Contaminated Soils in Eastern Libya

Hydrocarbon contamination represents a major environmental challenge in oil-producing regions, particularly in arid environments such as Eastern Libya, where natural attenuation processes are severely limited. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a combined nano-bioremediation approach using indigenous bacterial strains (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis) and biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) for the remediation of diesel-contaminated soils collected from the Tobruk region. Laboratory experiments were conducted over a 28-day period under controlled conditions. Hydrocarbon degradation was assessed using gravimetric analysis, and statistical evaluation was performed to compare treatment efficiencies. The results revealed that the combined treatment achieved the highest degradation efficiency (70%), followed by nanoparticles alone (44%) and bacterial treatment alone (36%), whereas the control showed minimal degradation (8%). The enhanced performance of the combined system is attributed to the synergistic interaction between microbial metabolism and nanoparticle-induced improvements in hydrocarbon bioavailability. This study highlights the potential of nano-bioremediation as a sustainable and cost-effective solution for environmental restoration in arid regions.

Faeza Mharb, Lazam A. Abraik, Said Saad · 0 citations
Open access Jul 2026

Fungal Bioaugmentation and Plant-Based Biostimulation for Petroleum Hydrocarbon Degradation in Mangrove Sediments

Mangrove ecosystems are highly vulnerable to petroleum contamination, with long-lasting environmental consequences due to the persistence of complex hydrocarbon fractions. While bioremediation strategies such as bioaugmentation and biostimulation are widely studied, their comparative effectiveness in mangrove sediments remains poorly understood. This study evaluates the degradation of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in mangrove sediments contaminated with Recôncavo Basin crude oil (1% w/w) using fungal bioaugmentation (Aspergillus sp.), plant-based biostimulation, and their combination. A controlled mesocosm experiment simulated tidal dynamics over 45 days using 80 bioreactors. Significant reductions in unresolved complex mixture (UCM) and TPH concentrations were observed across all treatments, with UCM reductions reaching up to 78.4% in the biostimulation treatment. However, no statistically significant differences were found among treatments at the end of the experiment (p > 0.05). This suggests a dominant role of intrinsic biodegradation processes, indicating that natural attenuation can be as effective as engineered strategies in specific mangrove environments over the long term. Changes in diagnostic ratios (pristane/phytane and n-alkanes) confirmed the preferential degradation of linear hydrocarbons. These findings highlight the potential of low-cost, nature-based remediation and suggest that intrinsic processes may suffice for long-term recovery, emphasizing the need for extended studies to fully evaluate engineered treatment advantages.

Janaína Figueiredo Santos, Célia Karina Maia Cardoso, Milton Santos Cardoso et al. · 1 citation
Review Open access Aug 2026

Harnessing Biosurfactant-Producing Bacteria from Petroleum-Affected Soils for Environmental and Industrial Applications

The biosurfactant-producing bacteria obtained from oil polluted soils have attracted significant attention due to their ability to enhance the bioavailability of hydrocarbons and to facilitate the remediation of contaminated environments. Several investigations have reported the presence and applications of these microorganisms. However, an overall assessment of their ecological diversity, screening approaches and environmental performance seems limited. The present review critically discusses the diversity of biosurfactant producing bacteria isolated from oil contaminated soils and their functional roles in hydrocarbon degradation and environmental restoration. Special emphasis is placed on the comparative evaluation of commonly employed screening and characterization methods such as drop-collapse, oil-spreading, CTAB agar, emulsification index, microplate and bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbons (BATH) assays. The advantages, limitations and methodological inconsistencies with these techniques in relation to the reliable identification of highly effective bacterial isolates are discussed. This paper reviews recent developments in the application of biosurfactant-producing bacteria for the degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons with a focus on the factors that affect their performance in field conditions. This review encompasses microbial diversity, methodological challenges, and application outcomes, identifying critical knowledge gaps and future priorities for standardization of screening approaches and the development of effective bioremediation strategies. The analysis presented here offers a framework to enhance the utilization of biosurfactant-producing bacteria isolated from oil-polluted soils as sustainable agents for the restoration of the ecosystem.

N. Shyamala, S. Kanimozhi, S. Arockiasamy · 0 citations
Aug 2026

Inducing Effect of Biosurfactants from Pseudomonas putida 12os Strain on Biodegradation of Hydrocarbons in Oil-Contaminated Soil

The results confirm the effectiveness of NMR spectroscopy as a tool for studying bioremediation mechanisms and indicate that biosurfactants may act not only as emulsifiers for oils but also as modulators of the catabolic potential of the soil microbiome.

L. Biktasheva, A. Gordeev, D. S. Ivanov et al. · 0 citations
Aug 2026

Indigenous Bacteria Synergistically Degrade Indigo Dye in Textile Wastewater via Enzymes and EPS

Textile dye effluents pose a significant environmental concern due to their persistence, toxicity, and limited amenability to conventional treatment processes. Among these, indigo dye, widely used in denim manufacturing, is particularly resistant to degradation and contributes substantially to aquatic pollution. In this study, indigenous bacterial strains isolated from industrial effluents and contaminated soils were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Bacillus thuringiensis , and Bacillus cereus on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Physicochemical analysis of the textile wastewater revealed pronounced alkalinity, high salinity, and a substantial organic load. Under optimized conditions, individual strains achieved up to 97% decolorization within 24 h, whereas the constructed consortium reached 99%, indicating a clear synergistic effect. Spectroscopic analyses (UV–Vis and FTIR), together with liquid chromatography (LC)–mass spectrometry (MS), confirmed the transformation of indigo into more polar metabolites, supporting biodegradation rather than simple adsorption. Mechanistically, dye removal appears to involve a coupled process of enzymatic oxidation (laccase and protease activity) and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS)‐mediated bioflocculation. The EPS matrix, dominated by proteins (P/C ≈ 1.98), likely enhanced pollutant capture and improved substrate accessibility, thereby increasing degradation efficiency. Importantly, validation in a 5 L fluidized bed bioreactor using real textile effluent demonstrated the robustness and scalability of the system. Overall, these findings underscore the promise of indigenous microbial consortia as effective, low‐cost, and environmentally sustainable solutions for textile wastewater treatment.

Asma Boulehsa, N. Chaib, Z. Boudjellab et al. · 0 citations