Detection of Genes Encoding for Absorption of Hydrocarbons Degradation by Bacteria Isolated from Antarctica, Malaysia, and Indonesia

Petroleum spills pose a significant threat to ecosystems due to the presence of hydrocarbons, the primary toxic components. Bioremediation, particularly using hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, offers an eco-friendly solution for mitigating this pollution. The present study aims to detect genes specifically the alkB gene associated with hydrocarbon degradation in bacterial strains isolated from oil-contaminated environments. Bacteria were successfully isolated from two distinct locations, Antarctica and Pulau Pinang. Molecular identification using 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed the isolates as Brevibacterium casei with 92.85% similarity. The detection of the alkB gene in these strains suggests their potential use in cost-effective and efficient bioremediation strategies for hydrocarbon-contaminated environments.