Solid medium for the direct isolation of bacterial colonies growing with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT).

Isolation of hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria is a key step for the study of microbiological diversity, metabolic pathways, and bioremediation. However current strategies lack simplicity and versatility. We developed an easy method for the screening and isolation of bacterial colonies capable of degrading hydrocarbons, such as diesel or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), as well as the pollutant explosive, 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT). The method uses a two-layer solid medium, with a layer of M9 medium, and a second layer containing the carbon source deposited through the evaporation of ethanol. Using this medium we grew hydrocarbon-degrading strains, as well as TNT-degrading isolates. We were able to isolate PAHs-degrading bacterial colonies directly from diesel-polluted soils. As a proof of concept, we used this method to isolate a phenanthrene-degrading bacteria, identified as Acinetobacter sp. and determined its ability to biodegrade this hydrocarbon.