Fenitrothion and 3‐methyl‐4‐nitrophenol degradation by two bacteria in natural waters under laboratory conditions

Abstract

The ability of two bacterial strains, Flavobacterium sp. strain ATCC 27551 and Arthrobacter aurescens strain TW17, to degrade fenitrothion and the product of its hydrolysis 3‐methyl‐4‐nitrophenol (MNP) in natural water samples under laboratory conditions was studied. Fenitrothion was degraded by Flavobacterium sp whereas MNP was not degraded by this strain. In comparison, MNP was metabolized by A. aurescens and fenitrothion was not. The natural microbial populations did not decompose the fenitrothion and MNP, however Flavobacterium sp and R. aurescens degraded these compounds in the presence of the natural microbial population.

Key words:

• fenitrothion
• 3‐methyl‐4‐nitrophenol
• biodegradation
• water
• Flavobacterium sp.
• Arthrobacter aurescens.