Characterization of Morganella sp. for its Paraquat Degradation Potential

Abstract

One of the beneficial roles of the microbial population is their ability to convert toxic herbicides to lesser toxic compounds such as water and carbon (IV) oxide. Paraquat which is an acutely toxic herbicide is used on farmlands and has been found to affect human health. This study was aimed at characterizing bacteria with the potential to degrade paraquat. Previously isolated bacteria from culture collection labelled A-F were screened for their potential to degrade and utilized paraquat as the sole carbon source in Bushnell Hass agar media. Of the six isolates, isolate E (Morganella sp.) was observed to have the highest growth and tolerance to paraquat after 72 h of incubation at 37 ºC. Characterization study revealed that Morganella sp. can utilize and grow with optimum conditions of pH 6.5, the temperature of 30 ºC and can tolerate up to 400 mg/L paraquat concentration with an increase in growth as inoculum size increases. Thus, these findings showed that Morganella sp. can degrade toxic paraquat to a less toxic form and therefore can be a good isolate for the future bioremediation process of the pollutant.

Achromobacter sp. Strain BUKˍBCHˍTQ1: A Potential Paraquat-Degrading Bacterium Isolated from Pesticide Contaminated Agricultural Soil

“…Based on the outcome above, the optimum incubation time for the degradation of paraquat from this study was found to be at 48 hours (Figure 2). Research by (23), has reported the biodegradation of paraquat within 3-7 days of incubation at 30 o C. Similarly, other studies have reported complete biodegradation of paraquat within 96 hours of incubation (24). A study by (25) reported biodegradation of paraquat at 48 hours.…”

Isothermal Remodelling of the Biosorption of Congo Red onto Kaolin

“…Water pollution occurs when environmental stressors are introduced at concentrations exceeding the maximum permissible levels, rendering water unsuitable for consumption and various other purposes. Such pollution stems from the presence of organic and/or inorganic chemicals, minerals, or waste materials originating from diverse sources, including industrial, agricultural, clinical, and domestic activities [1][2][3][4][5]. Of these sources, industrial effluents emerge as the most significant contributors to the contamination of surface and groundwater.…”