Microbial degradation of the organophosphate pesticide, Ethion

• Published in: FEMS microbiology letters Vol. 240; no. 1; pp. 49 - 53
• Main Authors: Foster, L.J.R, Kwan, B.H, Vancov, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.11.2004; Blackwell; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Aerobic conditions; Azospirillum; Azospirillum - growth & development; Azospirillum - metabolism; Bacteriology; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biological and medical sciences; Bioremediation; Contaminants; Degradation products; Environmental degradation; Ethion; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Insecticides - chemistry; Insecticides - metabolism; Mesophilic bacteria; Metabolism. Enzymes; Microbial degradation; Microbiology; Microorganisms; Organophosphate; Organophosphates; organophosphorus acaricides; Organothiophosphorus Compounds - chemistry; Organothiophosphorus Compounds - metabolism; Pesticides; pollutants; polluted soils; Pseudomonas; Pseudomonas - growth & development; Pseudomonas - metabolism; Public health; Rural environments; Salts; Sediment pollution; Soil bacteria; Soil contamination; Soil investigations; Soil Pollutants - metabolism; Soil pollution; Western Australia; Australia; Oceania; Western Australia; Biodegradation; Organophosphate; Ethion; Pseudomonadales; Microorganism growth; Insecticide; Spirillales; Enzyme; Azospirillum; Pesticides; Spirillaceae; Environmental factor; Esterases; Pseudomonas; Phosphoric triester hydrolases; Bacteria; Hydrolases; Pseudomonadaceae; Environment; Organophosphorus compounds; Aryldialkylphosphatase; Degradation product
• ISSN: 0378-1097; 1574-6968
• DOI: 10.1016/j.femsle.2004.09.010

The organophosphate pesticide, Ethion, remains a major environmental contaminant in rural Australia and poses a significant threat to environmental and public health. The aerobic degradation of Ethion by mesophilic bacteria isolated from contaminated soils surrounding disused cattle dip sites was investigated. Two isolates, identified as Pseudomonas and Azospirillum species, were capable of biodegrading Ethion when cultivated in minimal salts medium. The abiotic hydrolytic degradation products of Ethion such as Ethion Dioxon and O,O-diethylthiosphosphate were not detected. The data suggest the rapid degradation of Ethion to support microbial growth. The results have implications for the development of a bioremediation strategy.