title: Enhanced biodegradation of endosulfan and its major metabolite endosulfate by a biosurfactant producing bacterium.
abstract: The present study was carried out to isolate bacteria capable of producing biosurfactant that solublize endosulfan (6,7,8,9,10,10-Hexachloro-1,5,5a,6,9,9a-hexahydro- 6,9-methano-2,4,3-benzodioxathiepine-3-oxide) and for enhanced degradation of endosulfan and its major metabolite endosulfate. The significance of the study is to enhance the bioavailability of soil-bound endosulfan residues as its degradation is limited due to its low solubility. A mixed bacterial culture capable of degrading endosulfan was enriched from pesticide-contaminated soil and was able to degrade about 80% of α-endosulfan and 75% of β-endosulfan in five days. Bacterial isolates were screened for biosurfactant production and endosulfan degradation. Among the isolates screened, four strains produced biosurfactant on endosulfan. ES-47 showed better emulsification of endosulfan and degraded 99% of endosulfan and 94% of endosulfate formed during endosulfan degradation. The strain reduced the surface tension up to 37 dynes/cm. The study reveals that the strain was capable of degrading endosulfan and endosulfate with simultaneous biosurfactant production.
authors: Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. greeshma.o@gmail.com
authors: Greeshma
authors: G
authors: Odukkathil
authors: Namasivayam
authors: N
authors: Vasudevan
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D004726:Endosulfan / Q000378:metabolism*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000378:metabolism*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D004726:Endosulfan