Degradation of parathion by Penicillium waksmani zaleski isolated from flooded acid sulphate soil

Abstract

By enrichment culture technique, a fungus Penicillium waksmani Zaleski which can degrade parathion was isolated from an acid sulphate soil under flooded condition. The fungus tolerated parathion at concentrations as high as 1000 ppm. Initially, medium containing parathion supported less growth but at later stages the growth was equal to that of control treatment. Parathion was converted to aminoparathion by the fungus. The increase in the radioactivity in the aqueous phase of the culture filtrate after solvent extraction indicated the formation of certain polar metabolites.