Enumeration, isolation, and purification of hydrocarbon-
degrading microorganisms. The soil or sample
extracts were plated on ASM agar medium which were
either blank or coated with one compound/plate as sole
carbon source. The plates were incubated for up to
7 days and monitored regularly for colony formation.
The isolation and purification of single strains was
started by repeated streaking of individual colonies on
solidified LB medium. Several LB-grown colonies were
transferred to the original sole carbon source-containing
minimal medium ASM. Colonies that still were able to
grow were picked again and checked for purity.