Degradation of persistent endosulfan by isolated actinomycetes and Rhodococcuss jostii, RHA1

Abstract

The property of organochlorine endosulfan which is persistent and toxic can cause environmental pollution and pose human health and has raised concern worldwide. Hence, biodegradation serves as promising tool in overcoming the problem of pesticides pollution. The effective approach of removal of endosulfan from the environment is by using Gram-positive microorganisms such as actinomycetes, predominant microorganisms found in soil habitat are less exploited and studied in biodegradation of endosulfan. The diverse metabolic diversity and unique enzymatic capabilities of actinomycetes has gained interest in biodegradation to remove the endosulfan from the environment. This study aims to isolate indigenous actinomycetes from soil habitat and screening the ability of isolated actinomycetes to degrade the endosulfan. Cameron Highland where intensive agricultural activities were carried out was chosen as the sampling site for isolation of actinomycetes that could have potential in degradation of endosulfan. Screening of the ability of endosulfan degradation by isolated actinomycetes in sulphur free broth culture and followed by determination by residual endosulfan by using GC-ECD analysis which is sensitive and specific assay in detecting the endosulfan.