Isolation and biodegradation of 3-chloropropionic acid by aspergillus aculeatinus strain M1

Abstract

Halogenated organic compounds are found from industrial and agricultural products. They are dangerous environmental pollutants due to their toxicity and persistency in nature. The main objectives of this study are to isolate and identify fungi from dead wood which able to utilize 3-chloropropionic acid as a sole source of carbon and energy. 3-chloropopionic acid (3CP) is used as a herbicide. Fungi Aspergillus was isolated from a dead wood sample taken from UTM plantation. The molecular analysis, of the isolated fungus had 100% identity to the Aspergillus aculeatinus. Therefore, it was designated as Aspergillus aculeatinus M1. The fungi were able to grow in minimal medium contain 20mM 3-chloropropoinic acid as sole carbon source and energy. The growth was measured based on growth in 3-chloropopionic acid minimal. Aspergillus aculeatinus M1 showed the best growth on 20mM 3-chloropropionic acid but concentration of above 20 mM3-chloropropionic acid was toxic. The current study demonstrates the ability of fungal to growth on 3-chloropropionic acid as their sole source of carbon and energy.