Abstract
The indiscriminate application of various pesticides leads to toxicity to the humans, animals, fishes and threatens the environment and ecosystem. The present study was aimed to investigate pesticide degrading bacteria from the pesticide contaminated sample and to localize organophophate hydrolase activity from the bacteria. Sediment sample was selected as the source of microorganism for the degradation of chlorpyrifos. Enterobacter aerogenes CP2 and Streptococcus pyogenes CP11 isolated from the contaminated sample removed 77 ± 1.8%, 74.2 ± 3.1 chlorpyrifos. These strains have the potential to utilize pesticide as the source of carbon and energy. The pesticides inoculated with both CP 2 and CP 11 enhanced biodegradation of chlorpyrifos at optimized condition. E. aerogenes CP2 and S. pyogenes CP11 produced organophosphate hydrolase activity and localized enzyme biosynthesis. Organophosphate hydrolase activity was high in intracellular, followed by outer membrane and extracellular sample for both bacteria. The treated wastewater has no impact on the seed germination indicated normal cell division, cell elongation and indole-3 acetic acid synthesis. The strain CP2 has the rapid rate of organophosphate degradation among Enterobacter species.
•Pesticide tolerant microorganisms were isolated from the contaminated wastewater.•Bacteria were resistant against organophosphate pesticide.•Enterobacter aerogenes CP2 and Streptococcus pyogenes CP11 degraded chlorpyrifos.•Organophosphate hydrolase activity improved pesticide degradation.•The treated wastewater was safe for agriculture and improved seed germination.