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ABSTRACT
Bioremediation, the use of biological organisms to degrade environmental pollutants, has gained considerable attention due to its eco-friendly and sustainable approach. In recent research, synergizing of the same or different microorganisms has emerged as a promising avenue to make bioremediation process better. The aim of the study was to evaluate the biodegradation potential of two fungal biodegraders, singly and in consortium. Waste-engine oil-contaminated soil samples were collected from two automobile workshops in Benin City. Fungi were isolated from them and purified. Cultural and microscopy methods were used to identify the fungal isolates. The most dominant fungal isolate was analyzed using molecular characterization. Different concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 15%) of waste engine oil were used to contaminate potato dextrose broth (PDB) and the test fungal isolates were inoculated singly or in consortium. Parameters such as temperature, pH, total viable count and the total hydrocarbon content (THC) of the waste engine oil contaminated media were measured. The results showed species of Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium were among the fungi isolated from the soil samples. The molecular characterization revealed the dominant isolate as Aspergillus niger. There was no significant difference in the level of temperature among the various treatments, suggesting that temperature is not an evidence of bioremediation activity. A co-culture of Aspergillus niger and Fusarium solani was more effective in biodegradation of the waste engine oil compared to the individual biodegradation potential of the two fungal isolates. The findings of this study reveal that an efficient bioremediation program can be put in place by using appropriate mixture of organisms, as well as other physiochemical properties that might also influence the growth of these microorganisms.
