Biodegradation of beta-cypermethrin by a novel Azoarcus indigens strain HZ5

A novel strain HZ5 was isolated from the activated sludge of a pesticide manufacturer in Hangzhou, which was capable of degrading beta-cypermethrin (beta-CP). Based on its physiological characteristics and analysis of 16S rDNA gene, strain HZ5 was identified as Azoarcus indigens, which was a new genus that can degrade beta-CP effectively. Strain HZ5 could degrade beta-CP over a wide range of temperature (20 to 40°C) and pH (5.5 to 9.0), and the optimal temperature and pH were 30°C and 7.0. The highest degradation rate was approximately 70% of 50 mg/L beta-CP within 144 h at pH 7.0 and 30°C in MSM. An additional carbon source could enhance the biodegradation of beta-CP. Studies on biodegradation of the beta-CP showed no significant enantioselectivity. During the process, two main intermediate metabolites were produced by strain HZ5 and determined as 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The results indicated that strain HZ5 may have potential application in bioremediation of beta-CP polluted environment.