Malathion biodegradation by a psychrotolerant bacteria Ochrobactrum sp. M1D and metabolic pathway analysis

An organophosphorus pesticide malathion biodegradation was investigated by using the bacteria Ochrobactrum sp. M1D isolated from a soil sample of peach orchards in Palampur, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh (India). The bacterium was able to utilize malathion as the sole source of carbon and energy. The isolated bacterium was found psychrotolerant and could degrade 100% of 100 mg l(-1) malathion in minimal salt medium at 20 degrees C, pH 7.0 within 12 days with no major significant metabolites left at the end of the study. Through GCMS analysis, methyl phosphate, diethyl maleate, and diethyl 2-mercaptosuccinate were detected and identified as the major pathway metabolites. Based on the GCMS profile, three probable degradation pathways were interpreted. The present study is the first report of malathion biodegradation at both the psychrophilic and mesophilic conditions by any psychrotolerant strain and also through multiple degradation pathways. In the future, the strain can be explored to bio-remediate the malathion contaminated soil in the cold climatic region and to utilize the enzymatic systems for advanced biotechnology applications.

Automated summary

The bacterium Ochrobactrum sp. M1D isolated from peach orchard soil in Palampur, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India, was found to be capable of degrading malathion as the sole source of carbon and energy. Through GCMS analysis, methyl phosphate, diethyl maleate, and diethyl 2-mercaptosuccinate were identified as the major metabolites in the degradation pathway. The study is the first to report malathion biodegradation by a psychrotolerant strain under both psychrophilic and mesophilic conditions, indicating potential applications in bioremediation and biotechnology.