Degradation of Cypermethrin by Indigenous Bacteria from Contaminated Soil

Abstract

Soil contamination by pesticides should be controlled by using soil microbes with the ability to degrade pesticide residues. Microorganisms that have adapted to a particular pesticide could accelerate the degradation process. The present study aimed to select bacteria in soil that could potentially degrade cypermethrin residues. Experiments were carried out in a laboratory and employed soil samples collected from the districts of Demak, Magelang, and Brebes. Each soil sample was initially tested for the presence of bacteria and pesticide residues. Indigenous microbes capable of living in contaminated environments were adapted to cypermethryn and cultured in the laboratory. Experiment was carried out in several stages, namely, (1) isolation and identification of microbes that could degrade cypermethrin, (2) testing of the growth characteristics of isolates in cypermethrin, and (3) determination of cypermethrin residues in cultures. Three isolates, namely Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Bacillus amyloliquenfaciens, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were found to decrease cypermethrin residues by up to 95% with fast half-lives and good growth capability. The results demonstrate the potential applications of the isolates in biodegradation processes and remediation of cultivation fields.

New Role for a Commercially Available Bioinsecticide: Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner Biodegrades the Pyrethroid Cypermethrin

“…The biodegradation of cypermethrin has received great attention recently with interesting results reported, e.g., 95% biodegradation of this pyrethroid by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens S-58 and by Pseudomonas aeruginosa S-97 in a nitrate mineral salt medium; and 95% biodegradation was also reported for Bacillus subtilis 1D in nutrient medium . Moreover, a co-culture of Bacillus licheniformis B-1 and the fungi Aspergillus oryzae M-4 completely biodegraded β-Cyp .…”

Possibility of Using Bacteria-Destructors for Cypermetrin Degradation

“…It is used in agriculture and private household plots for the control of harmful insects, as well as in the practice of medical, sanitary and household disinfection to control harmful and synanthropic insects, including for the control of ants and cockroaches [16,17]. Cypermethrin, like other pesticides, has a toxic effect on mammals [18]. In many people, it causes allergic skin reactions and eye irritation [19,20,21], as well as disrupts the endocrine system [22].…”

“…Intensive use of cypermethrin can cause environmental damage and adverse effects on human health and the environment [23,24,25]. The most effective way to reduce the amount of xenobiotics, including cypermethrin, is currently microbial degradation [18].…”

“…There is evidence that some microorganisms belonging to pp. Pseudomonas [26,27,28], Micrococcus [29], Serratia [21,27], Streptomyces [16] and Ochrobactrum [18] degrade cypermethrin. The most effective use of microbial degradation involves the use of not one species, but consortia consisting of various microorganisms [30,31].…”