Isolation and identification of A3 -chloropropionic acid (3CP) degrading Aspergillus Aculeatus strain MBS 179

Abstract

The halogenated organic compounds which are used in agricultures and industries consider as xenobiotics. They cause the major group of environmental pollutions. They are potential toxicity and carcinogenicity effect and they pose health risks to humans and animals. In this study, the main objectives are to isolate and identify fungus from bread that has the ability to utilize 3-chloropropionic acid as a sole source of carbon and energy. The 3-chloropropionic acid (3-CP) is a synthetic halogenated compounds and classified as of ß-chlorinated alkanoic acid (ß-chloro substituted haloalkanoates). This compound is used as intermediates for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, herbicides and pesticides. The MBS_179 fungus which was isolated has been identified by using conventional and molecular analysis techniques. The MBS_179 showed the ability to grow on minimal medium containing only 3-chloropropionic acid as a sole carbon source and energy. The growth was measured after inoculated into 20 mM 3-chloropropionate liquid minimal media (pH 7) and incubated at 30°C in a rotary incubator at 120 rpm over 20 days period. Sample was taken at 2 days intervals. The molecular analysis depended on the amplified 18S rRNA gene sequence of the MBS_179 and the phylogenetic relationship was constructed using MEGA4 software® in order to verify their evolutionary distance. From our current study, analysis of 18S rRNA gene and the evolutionary relationship described the subspecies and characteristic of the MBS_179 which had 100% identity to the Aspergillus aculeatus. This study demonstrates the ability of this MBS_179 to utilize 3-CP that indicates it may has a significant role to play in the removal of this environmental pollutant.