A hydrocarbon treatment process of the present invention comprises the
steps of: adding Rhodococcus erythropolis PR-4 to an aqueous medium
containing culture medium ingredients; adding an organic solvent
containing a hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms; and enabling the
Rhodococcus erythropolis PR-4 to migrate into the organic solvent and
metabolize the hydrocarbon with 14 or more carbon atoms.