Abstract
Organophosphorus insecticides are widely used in agriculture. Despite their biodegradable nature, some are highly toxic and their residues are found in the environment. Reports on the mineralization of a spectrum of these insecticides by a single potential strain are scarce. We have isolated a soil isolate, Pseudomonas sp. A3, through enrichment technique, able to degrade methylparathion (MP), malathion, monocrotophos, and Diazinon. The potential of this strain to mineralize MP as a carbon and/or phosphorus source has been evaluated. On hydrolysis of MP, the aromatic portion (p-nitrophenol) was used as a carbon and energy source whereas the alkyl moiety (dithiomethylphosphorothioate) was broken down for the phosphorus source. The results from the experiments involving [U-14C]p-nitrophenol provided the evidence for incorporation of carbon into the cellular constituents and release of CO2 from this insecticide. During the breakdown of MP, nitrite was released as a catabolic by-product.
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Ramanathan, M.P., Lalithakumari, D. Complete mineralization of methylparathion by Pseudomonas sp. A3. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 80, 1–12 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:80:1:1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:80:1:1