Synergistic interaction between two bacterial isolates in the degradation of carbofuran

Abstract

The dominant bacteria Pseudomonas sp. and Arthrobacter sp. were isolated from the standing water of carbofuran-retreated Azolla plot. Arthrobacter sp. hydrolysed carbofuran added to the mineral salts medium as a sole source of carbon and nitrogen while no degradation occurred with Pseudomonas sp. Interestingly, when the medium containing carbofuran was inoculated with both Arthrobacter sp. and Pseudomonas sp., a synergistic increase in its hydrolysis and subsequent release of CO₂ from the side chain was noticed. This synergistic interaction was better expressed at 25°C than at 35°C. Likewise, related carbamates, carbaryl, bendiocarb and carbosulfan were more rapidly degraded in the combined presence of both bacterial isolates.