Title: Design of a synthetic microbial community (SynCom) with high crude oil-degrading potential for bioremediation applications
Abstract:
Mangrove ecosystems in Saudi Arabia face significant restoration challenges due to environmental stressors, particularly crude oil contamination. This study presents a novel strategy to support mangrove reforestation and bioremediation efforts by developing a synthetic microbial community (SynCom) with enhanced oil-degrading capabilities. Fifty bacterial isolates were obtained from the Avicennia marina rhizosphere using an in situ cultivation device (iChip). After comprehensive screening for hydrocarbon-degrading traits, five promising strains will be selected to construct SynComs in various combinations. These communities will be evaluated at the consortium level for their collective crude oil-degrading potential. The most effective SynCom will then be applied as a bioinoculant in bioremediation scenarios, such as the restoration of oil-contaminated mangrove habitats, with efficacy assessed through microbiome profiling. This research offers a promising biotechnological solution for rehabilitating polluted environments and aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader environmental sustainability goals.
