This study investigates the remediation potential of Bryophylum pinnatum extracts (water and ethanol-based) for degrading total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in loamy and clay soils. Crude oil contaminants used in the study exhibited a pH of 6.76, density of 0.878 g/mL at 15 °C, kinematic viscosity of 147.4 mm²/s at 40 °C, and a flash point of 193.2 °C. The baseline TPH concentration in the soils was 48,291.14 ppm. Soils were treated with varying volumes (100, 200, and 300 mL) of water and ethanol extracts for 42 days. The pH of B. pinnatum extracts was 6.71 (water) and 6.83 (ethanol), while their total organic carbon ranged from 10.65%–13.89%. Results revealed significant TPH reductions in both soils, with ethanol-based extracts outperforming water extracts. For loamy soil, TPH reductions ranged from 57.89%–87.18% across ethanol treatments, compared to 57.89%–65.78% for water treatments. In clay soil, reductions ranged from 54.97%–62.63%, with ethanol extracts achieving the highest degradation. TPH reduction correlated positively with both treatment volume and remediation duration. This study demonstrates the efficacy of B. pinnatum extracts, particularly ethanol-based, as a biostimulant for hydrocarbon remediation, offering an environmentally friendly approach for restoring contaminated soils.

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1. Abioye OP, Orebiyi FO, Oyeleke SB, Akinola AO. Biostimulation and bioaugmentation for enhanced crude oil degradation in soil. J Pet Environ Biotechnol. 2012;3(4):1–8.
2. Adesodun JK, Mbagwu JSC. Biodegradation of waste lubricating petroleum oil in a tropical alfisol as mediated by animal droppings. Bioresour Technol. 2008;99(13):5659–65.
3. Atlas RM, Bartha R. Hydrocarbon biodegradation and oil spill bioremediation. Adv Microb Ecol. 1992;12:287–338.
4. Ehirim CN, Nwankwo IO, Umechuruba CC, Onyekachi HO. Phytoremediation of petroleum-contaminated soils using mango leaves. Environ Res J. 2020;14(2):45–57.
5. Ijah UJJ, Antai SP. Removal of Nigerian light crude oil in soil over a 12-month period. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad. 2003;51(2):93–9.
6. Okoh AI. Biodegradation alternative in the cleanup of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants. Biotechnol Mol Biol Rev. 2006;1(2):38–50.
7. Odu CTI. Oil pollution and the environment. Bull Sci Assoc Niger. 1987;3:282–9.
8. Odokuma LO, Dickson AA. Bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated mangrove soil. Afr J Biotechnol. 2003;2(5):88–92.
9. Onwurah INE, Ikegwuonu FI, Ibeh U, Ogbonna DN. Crude oil spills in the environment, effects and remediation. Biotechnol Mol Biol Rev. 2007;2(1):1–26.
10. Rahman KS, Rahman T, McClean S, Marchant R, Banat IM. Enhanced bioremediation of n-alkane in petroleum sludge using bacterial consortium amended with rhamnolipid and micronutrients. Bioresour Technol. 2002;81:25–32.
11. Udo EJ, Fayemi AAA. The effect of oil pollution on soil germination, growth, and nutrient uptake of maize. J Environ Qual. 1975;4(4):537–40.

 This study investigates the remediation potential of Bryophylum pinnatum extracts (water and ethanol-based) for degrading total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in loamy and clay soils. Crude oil contaminants used in the study exhibited a pH of 6.76, density of 0.878 g/mL at 15 °C, kinematic viscosity of 147.4 mm²/s at 40 °C, and a flash point of 193.2 °C. The baseline TPH concentration in the soils was 48,291.14 ppm. Soils were treated with varying volumes (100, 200, and 300 mL) of water and ethanol extracts for 42 days. The pH of B. pinnatum extracts was 6.71 (water) and 6.83 (ethanol), while their total organic carbon ranged from 10.65%–13.89%. Results revealed significant TPH reductions in both soils, with ethanol-based extracts outperforming water extracts. For loamy soil, TPH reductions ranged from 57.89%–87.18% across ethanol treatments, compared to 57.89%–65.78% for water treatments. In clay soil, reductions ranged from 54.97%–62.63%, with ethanol extracts achieving the highest degradation. TPH reduction correlated positively with both treatment volume and remediation duration. This study demonstrates the efficacy of B. pinnatum extracts, particularly ethanol-based, as a biostimulant for hydrocarbon remediation, offering an environmentally friendly approach for restoring contaminated soils.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Abioye OP, Orebiyi FO, Oyeleke SB, Akinola AO. Biostimulation and bioaugmentation for enhanced crude oil degradation in soil. J Pet Environ Biotechnol. 2012;3(4):1–8.
2. Adesodun JK, Mbagwu JSC. Biodegradation of waste lubricating petroleum oil in a tropical alfisol as mediated by animal droppings. Bioresour Technol. 2008;99(13):5659–65.
3. Atlas RM, Bartha R. Hydrocarbon biodegradation and oil spill bioremediation. Adv Microb Ecol. 1992;12:287–338.
4. Ehirim CN, Nwankwo IO, Umechuruba CC, Onyekachi HO. Phytoremediation of petroleum-contaminated soils using mango leaves. Environ Res J. 2020;14(2):45–57.
5. Ijah UJJ, Antai SP. Removal of Nigerian light crude oil in soil over a 12-month period. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad. 2003;51(2):93–9.
6. Okoh AI. Biodegradation alternative in the cleanup of petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants. Biotechnol Mol Biol Rev. 2006;1(2):38–50.
7. Odu CTI. Oil pollution and the environment. Bull Sci Assoc Niger. 1987;3:282–9.
8. Odokuma LO, Dickson AA. Bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated mangrove soil. Afr J Biotechnol. 2003;2(5):88–92.
9. Onwurah INE, Ikegwuonu FI, Ibeh U, Ogbonna DN. Crude oil spills in the environment, effects and remediation. Biotechnol Mol Biol Rev. 2007;2(1):1–26.
10. Rahman KS, Rahman T, McClean S, Marchant R, Banat IM. Enhanced bioremediation of n-alkane in petroleum sludge using bacterial consortium amended with rhamnolipid and micronutrients. Bioresour Technol. 2002;81:25–32.
11. Udo EJ, Fayemi AAA. The effect of oil pollution on soil germination, growth, and nutrient uptake of maize. J Environ Qual. 1975;4(4):537–40.