Biodegradation of carbofuran by Pichia anomala strain HQ-C-01 and its application for bioremediation of contaminated soils

A novel yeast named HQ-C-01 was isolated from activated sludge and identified as Pichia anomala based on the morphology and 18S rDNA sequence analysis. The HQ-C-01 strain degraded 95.2% of carbofuran when the insecticide was used as the only C source and added at 50 mg/L in a mineral salts medium within 48 h. The optimal concentration, temperature, and pH of medium for degradation of carbofuran were 50 mg/L, 30 degrees C, and pH 7.5, respectively. Strain HQ-C-01 could also effectively degrade other carbamate insecticides including carbaryl, indoxacarb, and fenobucarb, and the degradation rates were 99%, 85%, and 67%, respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that the strain metabolized carbofuran to produce benzofuranol as the intermediate metabolite, which was further degraded. Degradation of carbofuran added at 50 mg/kg of soil was higher in yeast-inoculated soil than in the control. These results indicated that strain HQ-C-01 may potentially be used in bioremediation of carbofuran-contaminated soil.