Hatamian-Zarmi - Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R.Iran.
Shojaosadati - Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R.Iran.
Vasheghani-Farahani - Biotechnology Group, Faculty of Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R.Iran.
Hosseinkhani - Biochemical Group, Faculty of Science, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, I.R.Iran.

Fifteen bacterial strains were isolated using transformer oil (askarel) as sole carbon and energy source, obtained from different positions and depths of a polychlorinated biphenyl(PCB) contaminated soil in the Bandar Abbas electric power station.The mixed culture enriched by askarel degraded 77.5% of PCBs in transformer oil after 8 days incubation.The PCB (4-chloro biphenyl and 2-chloro biphenyl) degradative ability of isolated microorganisms under aerobic conditions in pure culture was determined by gas chromatography after 7 days of incubations.The result provide evidence that naturally occurring aerobic bacterial strains isolated using a mixed culture have the potential to remove PCBs in the pure culture.

Isolation, Native microflora, Polychlorinated biphenyl, Biodegradation, Transformer oil