New bacterial strain of the genus Ochrobactrum with glyphosate-degrading activity

Thirty bacterial strains with various abilities to utilize glyphosate as the sole phosphorus source were isolated from farm soils using the glyphosate enrichment cultivation technique. Among them, a strain showing a remarkable glyphosate-degrading activity was identified by biochemical features and 16S rRNA sequence analysis as Ochrobactrum sp. (GDOS). Herbicide (3 mM) degradation was induced by phosphate starvation, and was completed within 60 h. Aminomethylphosphonic acid was detected in the exhausted medium, suggesting glyphosate oxidoreductase as the enzyme responsible for herbicide breakdown. As it grew even in the presence of glyphosate concentrations as high as 200 mM, Ochrobactrum sp. could be used for bioremediation purposes and treatment of heavily contaminated soils.     

Microbial diversity,community composition and metabolic potential in hydrocarbon contaminated oily sludge: prospects for in situ bioremediation

Microbial community composition and metabolic potential have been explored in petroleum-hydrocarbon-contaminated sludge of an oil storage facility. Culture-independent clone library-based 16S rRNA gene analyses revealed that the bacterial community within the sludge was dominated by the members of β-Proteobacteria (35 %), followed by Firmicutes (13 %), δ-Proteobacteria (11 %), Bacteroidetes (10 %), Acidobacteria (6 %), α-Proteobacteria (3 %), Lentisphaerae (2 %), Spirochaetes (2 %), and unclassified bacteria (5 %), whereas the archaeal community was composed of Thermoprotei (54 %), Methanocellales (33 %), Methanosarcinales/Methanosaeta (8 %) and Methanoculleus (1 %) members. Methyl coenzyme M reductase A (mcrA) gene (a functional biomarker) analyses also revealed predominance of hydrogenotrophic, methanogenic Archaea (Methanocellales, Methanobacteriales and Methanoculleus members) over acetoclastic methanogens (Methanosarcinales members). In order to explore the cultivable bacterial population, a total of 28 resident strains were identified and characterized in terms of their physiological and metabolic capabilities. Most of these could be taxonomically affiliated to the members of the genera Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Micrococcus, Brachybacterium, Aerococcus, and Zimmermannella, while two strains were identified as Pseudomonas and Pseudoxanthomonas. Metabolic profiling exhibited that majority of these isolates were capable of growing in presence of a variety of petroleum hydrocarbons as sole source of carbon, tolerating different heavy metals at higher concentrations (≥1 mM) and producing biosurfactant during growth. Many strains could grow under a wide range of pH, temperature, or salinity as well as under anaerobic conditions in the presence of different electron acceptors and donors in the growth medium. Correlation between the isolates and their metabolic properties was estimated by the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) analysis. Overall observation indicated the presence of diverse groups of microorganisms including hydrocarbonoclastic, nitrate reducing, sulphate reducing, fermentative, syntrophic, methanogenic and methane-oxidizing bacteria and Archaea within the sludge community, which can be exploited for in situ bioremediation of the oily sludge.     

The metabolism of neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam by soil enrichment cultures,and the bacterial diversity and plant growth‐promoting properties of the cultured isolates

A soil enrichment culture (SEC) rapidly degraded 96% of 200 mg L^?1 neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam (TMX) in MSM broth within 30 d; therefore, its metabolic pathway of TMX, bacterial diversity and plant growth‐promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) activities of the cultured isolates were studied. The SEC transformed TMX via the nitro reduction pathway to form nitrso, urea metabolites and via cleavage of the oxadiazine cycle to form a new metabolite, hydroxyl CLO‐tri. In addition, 16S rRNA gene‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that uncultured rhizobacteria are predominant in the SEC broth and that 77.8% of the identified bacteria belonged to uncultured bacteria. A total of 31 cultured bacterial strains including six genera (Achromobacter, Agromyces, Ensifer, Mesorhizobium, Microbacterium and Pseudoxanthomonas) were isolated from the SEC broth. The 12 strains of Ensifer adhaerens have the ability to degrade TMX. All six selected bacteria showed PGPR activities. E. adhaerens TMX‐23 and Agromyces mediolanus TMX‐25 produced indole‐3‐acetic acid, whereas E. adhaerens TMX‐23 and Mesorhizobium alhagi TMX‐36 are N₂‐fixing bacteria. The six‐isolated microbes were tolerant to 200 mg L^?1 TMX, and the growth of E. adhaerens was significantly enhanced by TMX, whereas that of Achromobacter sp. TMX‐5 and Microbacterium sp.TMX‐6 were enhanced slightly. The present study will help to explain the fate of TMX in the environment and its microbial degradation mechanism, as well as to facilitate future investigations of the mechanism through which TMX enhances plant vigor.     

Bioremediation model for atrazine contaminated agricultural soils using phytoremediation (using Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and a locally adapted microbial consortium

The objective of the present study was to examine a biological model under greenhouse conditions for the bioremediation of atrazine contaminated soils. The model consisted in a combination of phytoremediation (using Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and rhizopheric bio-augmentation using native Trichoderma sp., and Rhizobium sp. microorganisms that showed no inhibitory growth at 10,000 mg L^?1 of herbicide concentration. 33.3 mg of atrazine 50 g^?1 of soil of initial concentration was used and an initial inoculation of 1 × 10⁹ UFC mL^?1 of Rhizobium sp. and 1 × 10⁵ conidia mL^?1 of Trichoderma sp. were set. Four treatments were arranged: Bean + Trichoderma sp. (B+T); Bean + Rhizobium sp. (BR); Bean + Rhizobium sp. + Trichoderma sp. (B+R+T) and Bean (B). 25.51 mg of atrazine 50 g^?1 of soil (76.63%) was removed by the B+T treatment in 40 days (a = 0.050, Tukey). This last indicate that the proposed biological model and methodology developed is useful for atrazine contaminated bioremediation agricultural soils, which can contribute to reduce the effects of agrochemical abuse.     

Nonionic surfactant enhanced biodegradation of m-xylene by mixed bacteria and its application in biotrickling filter

In this study, m-xylene biodegradation was examined in bacteria-water mixed solution and biotrickling filter (BTF) systems amended with the nonionic surfactant Tween 80. The mixed bacteria were obtained from the activated sludge of a coking plant through a multisubstrate acclimatization process. High-throughput sequencing analysis revealed that Rhodanobacter sp. was the dominant species among the mixed bacteria. In the bacteria-water mixed solution, the bacterial density increased with increasing Tween 80 concentration. Hence, Tween 80 could be utilized as substrate by the mixed bacteria. Tween 80, with concentrations of 50–100 mg L^?1, could enhance the bioavailability of m-xylene and consequently improve the degradation efficiency of m-xylene. However, further increasing the initial concentration of Tween 80 would decrease the degradation efficiency of m-xylene. At concentrations exceeding 100 mg L^?1, Tween 80 was preferentially degraded by the mixed bacteria over m-xylene. In BTF systems, when the m-xylene inlet concentration was 1200 mg m^?3 and the empty bed residence time was 20 sec, the removal efficiency and elimination capacity of BTF1 with Tween 80 addition were at most 20% and 24% higher than those of BTF2 without Tween 80 addition. Overall, the integrated application of the mixed bacteria and surfactant was demonstrated to be a highly effective strategy for m-xylene waste gas treatment.

Implications: The integrated application of mixed bacteria and surfactant was demonstrated to be a promising approach for the highly efficient removal of m-xylene. Surfactant can activate mixed bacteria to degrade m-xylene by increasing its bioavailability. Besides, surfactant can be utilized as carbon source by the mixed bacteria so that the growth of mixed bacteria can be promoted. It is expected that the integrated application of both technologies will become more common in future chemical industry.     

Identification and methionine analog tolerance of environmental bacterial isolates selected on methionine analog containing medium

Methionine is the first limiting amino acid in poultry feed. Currently, methionine supplement is synthesized from an expensive chemical process requiring hazardous chemicals. Therefore, the objectives of this study were isolation of methionine producing bacteria from environmental samples and quantification of methionine production in these isolated bacteria. MCGC medium was selected as the isolation medium for methionine-producing bacteria by using Corynebacterium glutamicum ATCC13032 and Escherichia coli ATCC23798 as the positive and negative controls, respectively. Thirty-nine bacterial strains were obtained from environmental samples. Only strains A121, A122, A151 and A181 were able to tolerate up to 0.1% (w/v) of ethionine or norleucine. These isolated strains were identified by sequencing small subunit rRNA genes. The results revealed that bacterial strains A121, A122, A151and A181 were Klebsiella species, Acinetobacter baumannii, A. baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. When methionine production in strains A121 and A181 was quantitated, strains A121 and A181 generated methionine up to 31.1 and 124.6 μg/ml, respectively.     

Cadmium-tolerant bacteria induce metal stress tolerance in cereals

Cadmium usually hampers plant growth, but bacterial inoculation may improve stress tolerance in plants to Cd by involving various mechanisms. The objective was to characterize and identify bacteria that improve plant growth under Cd stress and reduce Cd uptake. Cadmium-tolerant bacteria were isolated from rhizosphere soil, which was irrigated with tannery effluent, and six strains were selected as highly tolerant to Cd, showing minimum inhibitory concentration as 500 mg L^?1 or 4.45 mmol L^?1. These strains were identified by 16S rRNA gene analysis and functional analysis in regard to plant growth promotion characteristics. To determine their effect on cereal growth under Cd stress, seeds were inoculated with these strains individually and grown in soil contaminated with three Cd levels (0, 40 and 80 mg kg^?1). Biomass production, relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage (ELL) and tissue Cd concentration were measured. Biomass of both cereals was inhibited strongly when exposed to Cd; however, bacterial inoculation significantly reduced the suppressive effect of Cd on cereal growth and physiology. The bacterial isolates belonged to the genera Klebsiella, Stenotrophomonas, Bacillus and Serratia. Maize was more sensitive than wheat to Cd. Klebsiella sp. strain CIK-502 had the most pronounced effects in promoting maize and wheat growth and lowering Cd uptake under Cd stress.     

Impact of the novel neonicotinoid insecticide Paichongding on bacterial communities in yellow loam and Huangshi soils

Insecticides are widely sprayed in modern agriculture for ensuring the crop yield, which could also lead to contamination and insecticide residue in soils. Paichongding (IPP) is a novel neonicotinoid insecticide and was developed recently in China. Soil bacterial community, diversity, and community composition vary widely depending on environmental factors. As for now, little is known about bacterial species thriving, bacterial community diversity, and structure in IPP-spraying soils. In present study, IPP degradation in yellow loam and Huangshi soils was investigated, and bacterial communities and diversity were examined in soil without IPP spray and with IPP spray through pyrosequencing of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene amplicons. The degradation ratio of IPP at 60 days after treatment (DAT) reached 51.22 and 34.01 % in yellow loam and Huangshi soil, respectively. A higher richness of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) was found in yellow loam soil (867 OTUs) and Huangshi soil (762 OTUs) without IPP spray while OUTs were relatively low in IPP-spraying soils. The community composition also differed both in phyla and genus level between these two environmental conditions. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi, Armatimonadetes, and Chlorobi were stimulated to increase after IPP application, while IPP inhibited the phyla of Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, and Acidobacteria.     

Bioremediation of Cd and carbendazim co-contaminated soil by Cd-hyperaccumulator Sedum alfredii associated with carbendazim-degrading bacterial strains

The objective of this study was to develop a bioremediation strategy for cadmium (Cd) and carbendazim co-contaminated soil using a hyperaccumulator plant (Sedum alfredii) combined with carbendazim-degrading bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Paracoccus sp., Flavobacterium and Pseudomonas sp.). A pot experiment was conducted under greenhouse conditions for 180 days with S. alfredii and/or carbendazim-degrading strains grown in soil artificially polluted with two levels of contaminants (low level, 1 mg kg^?1 Cd and 21 mg kg^?1 carbendazim; high level, 6 mg kg^?1 Cd and 117 mg kg^?1 carbendazim). Cd removal efficiencies were 32.3–35.1 % and 7.8–8.2 % for the low and high contaminant level, respectively. Inoculation with carbendazim-degrading bacterial strains significantly (P?<?0.05) increased Cd removal efficiencies at the low level. The carbendazim removal efficiencies increased by 32.1–42.5 % by the association of S. alfredii with carbendazim-degrading bacterial strains, as compared to control, regardless of contaminant level. Cultivation with S. alfredii and inoculation of carbendazim-degrading bacterial strains increased soil microbial biomass, dehydrogenase activities and microbial diversities by 46.2–121.3 %, 64.2–143.4 %, and 2.4–24.7 %, respectively. Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) analysis revealed that S. alfredii stimulated the activities of Flavobacteria and Bradyrhizobiaceae. The association of S. alfredii with carbendazim-degrading bacterial strains enhanced the degradation of carbendazim by changing microbial activity and community structure in the soil. The results demonstrated that association of S. alfredii with carbendazim-degrading bacterial strains is promising for remediation of Cd and carbendazim co-contaminated soil.     

菌源对多环芳烃降解菌的筛选及降解性能的影响

高效降解菌的筛选对利用生物修复技术有效去除环境中的多环芳烃具有重要意义。分别以石油污染土壤和焦化废水活性污泥为菌源,分离出芘降解菌和混合PAHs(菲、荧蒽和芘)降解菌共14株并对其降解性能进行对比研究。结果表明,筛选得到的菌株分别属于9个菌属,其中2种菌源共有的菌属为Mycobacterium sp.、Ralstonia sp.和Shinella sp.。芘和PAHs的高效降解菌(CP16和CM32)均属于分支杆菌属(Mycobacterium),来源于焦化废水活性污泥;菌株CP16对芘(50mg/L)的7 d降解率为74.99%,CM32对PAHs(菲50 mg/L、荧蒽和芘各10 mg/L)的7 d降解率为100%。因此,以焦化废水活性污泥为菌源更有利于获得高效的多环芳烃降解菌。     

Bacterial diversity in paclobutrazol applied agricultural soils

The aim of this study was to investigate the bacterial communities on paclobutrazol [(2RS, 3RS)-1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4, 4-dimethyl-2-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl) pentan-3-ol]–applied agricultural soils by denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplified 16S rDNA gene fragments. Three different agricultural soil samples were collected from paclobutrazol applied mango and waxapple orchards, peanut fields and untreated rice fields as a control for DGGE analysis. The DGGE pattern of PCR- generated 16S rDNA gene fragments indicated that the bacterial populations from four paclobutrazol–applied soils of peanut fields were closely related to each other and two paclobutrazol–applied soils of mango and waxapple orchards harbored closely related bacterial communities. But, paclobutrazol–free agricultural soils comprised relatively a different bacterial group. However, the bacterial populations of mango and waxapple orchard are completely different from the bacterial communities of peanut field. Further purification and sequence analysis of 40 DGGE bands followed by phylogenetic tree assay showed similar results that soil bacteria from paclobutrazol applied mango and waxapple orchard are phylogenetically related. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the clone M-4 was clad 100 % (bootstrap value) with Mycobacterium sp. The Mycobacterium sp. has been proved to degrade the phenolic compounds such as phenol, 4-chlorphenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and paclobutrazol molecule containing chlorobenzene ring.     

Structural changes in soil communities after triclopyr application in soils invaded by Acacia dealbata Link

Triclopyr is a commonly used herbicide in the control of woody plants and can exhibit toxic effects to soil microorganisms. However, the impact on soils invaded by plant exotics has not yet been addressed. Here, we present the results of an 18-month field study conducted to evaluate the impact of triclopyr on the structure of fungal and bacterial communities in soils invaded by Acacia dealbata Link, through the use of denature gradient gel electrophoresis. After triclopyr application, analyses of bacterial fingerprints suggested a change in the structure of the soil bacterial community, whereas the structure of the soil fungal community remained unaltered. Bacterial density and F:B ratio values changed across the year but were not altered due to herbicide spraying. On the contrary, fungal diversity was increased in plots sprayed with triclopyr 5 months after the first application. Richness and diversity (H´) of both bacteria and fungi were not modified after triclopyr application.     

Antimicrobial potential of commercial silver nanoparticles and the characterization of their physical properties toward probiotic bacteria isolated from fermented milk products

The application of nanotechnology in the agriculture and food sector is relatively recent compared to its usage in drug delivery or pharmaceuticals. Therefore, this paper presents a study of the effect of silver nanoparticles on probiotic bacteria based on the example of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA-5, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and Streptococcus thermophilus ST-Y31 isolated from fermented milk products. Probiotic bacteria are one of the most crucial groups of bacteria for the food industry, because of their claimed health-promoting properties. Studies have shown that the type and concentration of silver nanoparticle solutions have a significant impact on the tested probiotic bacteria which are profitable for the digestive system. In the presence of all tested silver nanoparticles, St. thermophilus ST-Y31 growth was inhibited significantly by the dilution method as opposed to the disk-diffusion method. Both the disk-diffusion and the dilution methods showed no significant differences between L. acidophilus LA-5 and B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12. The concentrations 2 μg mL^?1 and 0.25 μg mL^?1 had the highest antibacterial activity and statistically significant impacts on the tested probiotic strains. To our knowledge, this is the first report on potential antimicrobial effect of nanosilver against the health-promoting probiotic bacteria L. acidophilus LA-5, B. animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 and St. thermophilus ST-Y31 isolated from fermented milk products.     

Evaluating the degradation of the herbicides picloram and 2,4-D in a compartmentalized reactive biobarrier with internal liquid recirculation

Tordon is a widely used herbicide formulation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinic acid (picloram), and it is considered a toxic herbicide. The purposes of this work were to assess the feasibility of a microbial consortium inoculated in a lab-scale compartmentalized biobarrier, to remove these herbicides, and isolate, identify, and evaluate their predominant microbial constituents. Volumetric loading rates of herbicides ranging from 31.2 to 143.9 g m^?3 day^?1, for 2,4-D, and 12.8 to 59.3 g m^?3 day^?1 for picloram were probed; however, the top operational limit of the biobarrier, detected by a decay in the removal efficiency, was not reached. At the highest loading rates probed, high average removal efficiencies of 2,4-D, 99.56?±?0.44; picloram, 94.58?±?2.62; and chemical oxygen demand (COD), 89.42?±?3.68, were obtained. It was found that the lab-scale biofilm reactor efficiently removed both herbicides at dilution rates ranging from 0.92 to 4.23 day^?1, corresponding to hydraulic retention times from 1.087 to 0.236 days. On the other hand, few microbial strains able to degrade picloram are reported in the literature. In this work, three of the nine bacterial strains isolated cometabolically degrade picloram. They were identified as Hydrocarboniphaga sp., Tsukamurella sp., and Cupriavidus sp.     

Isolation and characterization of novel phorate-degrading bacterial species from agricultural soil

Based upon 16S rDNA sequence homology, 15 phorate-degrading bacteria isolated from sugarcane field soils by selective enrichment were identified to be different species of Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Brevibacterium, and Staphylococcus. Relative phorate degradation in a mineral salt medium containing phorate (50 μg ml^?1) as sole carbon source established that all the bacterial species could actively degrade more than 97 % phorate during 21 days. Three of these species viz. Bacillus aerophilus strain IMBL 4.1, Brevibacterium frigoritolerans strain IMBL 2.1, and Pseudomonas fulva strain IMBL 5.1 were found to be most active phorate metabolizers, degrading more than 96 % phorate during 2 days and 100 % phorate during 13 days. Qualitative analysis of phorate residues by gas liquid chromatography revealed complete metabolization of phorate without detectable accumulation of any known phorate metabolites. Phorate degradation by these bacterial species did not follow the first-order kinetics except the P. fulva strain IMBL 5.1 with half-life period (t½) ranging between 0.40 and 5.47 days.     

Microbial communities in pesticide-contaminated soils in Kyrgyzstan and bioremediation possibilities

In Kyrgyzstan, many former storehouses and dump sites for obsolete pesticides exist. In 2009/2010, an inventory and assessment of these sites including risks of environmental hazard has been conducted by FAO and the World Bank. Monitoring revealed high concentration of pesticides listed as persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The purpose of this research was to study the microbial structural complexes of the pesticide-contaminated soils in these dumping zones, and to search for and select microorganism’s destructors with cytochrome P450 genes for pesticide degradation. Culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches were used to determine the taxonomic composition of these bacterial communities. The universal primer set for the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene and the specific primer set P450R were used to amplify the cytochrome P450 hydroxylase gene. In soils from Suzak A and B and soils from Balykchy dumping sites, the bacteria from the Actinobacteria phylum (Micrococcus genus) were dominant. These bacteria made up 32–47% of the indigenous local microflora; bacteria species from the Pseudomonas genus (Gammaproteobacteria phylum) made up 23% in Suzak, 12% in Balykchy soils. Bacillus species from the Firmicutes phylum were found only in Suzak soils. The 16S rRNA analyses and the specific primer set P450R have revealed bacteria with cytochrome genes which are directly involved in the degradation process of organic carbon compounds. Experiments were carried out to help select active degraders from the bacterial populations isolated and used to degrade Aldrin in laboratory. Active bacterial strains from the Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus polymyxa population were selected which demonstrated high rates of degradation activity on Aldrin.     

Biodegradation of carbofuran in soils within Nzoia River Basin,Kenya

Carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethylbenzofuran-7-yl methylcarbamate) has been used within the Nzoia River Basin (NRB), especially in Bunyala Rice Irrigation Schemes, in Kenya for the control of pests. In this study, the capacity of native bacteria to degrade carbofuran in soils from NRB was investigated. A gram positive, rod-shaped bacteria capable of degrading carbofuran was isolated through liquid cultures with carbofuran as the only carbon and nitrogen source. The isolate degraded 98% of 100-μg mL^?1 carbofuran within 10 days with the formation of carbofuran phenol as the only detectable metabolite. The degradation of carbofuran was followed by measuring its residues in liquid cultures using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Physical and morphological characteristics as well as molecular characterization confirmed the bacterial isolate to be a member of Bacillus species. The results indicate that this strain of Bacillus sp. could be considered as Bacillus cereus or Bacillus thuringiensis with a bootstrap value of 100% similar to the 16S rRNA gene sequences. The biodegradation capability of the native strains in this study indicates that they have great potential for application in bioremediation of carbofuran-contaminated soil sites.     

Antibacterial activity of different natural honeys from Transylvania,Romania

Honey is used in food industry and medicine due to its nutritive, therapeutic and dietetic qualities. The microbiological characteristics of 10 unpasteurized honey samples of known origin, collected from Transylvania beekeepers (Romania) were determined. The antibacterial activity of these types of honey against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Salmonella enteritidis, Salmonella anatum, Salmonella choleraesuis, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis subsp. spizizenii and Listeria monocytogenes strains was studied. The most sensitive to the antibacterial activity were the two staphylococus strains (the largest diameter of inhibition zone was 18 mm) and B. subtilis strains (13.5 mm). The strains of B. cereus, E. coli, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. were found to present resistance to some of the honey samples. Manna, sunflower and polyfloral honeys presented high antibacterial activity while acacia and linden honeys had a lower activity in terms of the number of sensible strains. Statistical analysis shows that the type of strains and the type of honey have influence on the diameter of inhibition.     

Biodegradation of s-triazine herbicide atrazine by Enterobacter cloacae and Burkholderia cepacia sp. from long-term treated sugarcane-cultivated soils in Kenya

In this study soils from sugarcane-cultivated fields were screened for bacterial species capable of atrazine (6-chloro-N²-ethyl-N⁴-isopropyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) degradation due to long exposure of the soils to this herbicide. To enrich for atrazine degraders, Minimal Salt Medium containing atrazine as the sole N source and glucose as the C source was inoculated with soils impacted with this herbicide and incubated. Bacterial growth was monitored by measuring optical density. The degradation of atrazine was followed by measuring residual atrazine in liquid cultures over a given time period by high performance liquid chromatography. Bacterial strains isolated from the enrichment cultures were characterized by biochemical tests and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Two bacterial strains coded ISL 8 and ISL 15 isolated from two different fields were shown to have 94 and 96% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Burkholderia cepacia respectively. Another bacterial sp., ISL 14 was closely related to Enterobacter cloacae with a 96% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity. There was not much difference between the extents of atrazine degradation by the enrichment cultures with communities (79–82% applied amount) from which pure strains were isolated and the pure strains themselves in liquid cultures that showed a degradation of 53–83% of applied amount. The study showed existence of bacterial strains in different sugarcane-cultivated fields which can use atrazine as a nitrogen source. The bacterial strains isolated can be used to enhance the degradation of atrazine in contaminated soils where atrazine is still considered to be recalcitrant.     

Biodegradation of malathion, α- and β-endosulfan by bacterial strains isolated from agricultural soil in Veracruz,Mexico

The objective of this study was to evaluate the capacity of two bacterial strains isolated, cultivated, and purified from agricultural soils of Veracruz, Mexico, for biodegradation and mineralisation of malathion (diethyl 2-(dimethoxyphosphorothioyl) succinate) and α- and β-endosulfan (6,7,8,9,10,10-hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro-6-9-methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepine-3-oxide). The isolated bacterial strains were identified using biochemical and morphological characterization and the analysis of their 16S rDNA gene, as Enterobacter cloacae strain PMM16 (E1) and E. amnigenus strain XGL214 (M1). The E1 strain was able to degrade endosulfan, whereas the M1 strain was capable of degrading both pesticides. The E1 strain degraded 71.32% of α-endosulfan and 100% of β-endosulfan within 24 days. The absence of metabolites, such as endosulfan sulfate, endosulfan lactone, or endosulfan diol, would suggest degradation of endosulfan isomers through non-oxidative pathways. Malathion was completely eliminated by the M1 strain. The major metabolite was butanedioic acid. There was a time-dependent increase in bacterial biomass, typical of bacterial growth, correlated with the decrease in pesticide concentration. The CO₂ production also increased significantly with the addition of pesticides to the bacterial growth media, demonstrating that, under aerobic conditions, the bacteria utilized endosulfan and malathion as a carbon source. Here, two bacterial strains are shown to metabolize two toxic pesticides into non-toxic intermediates.