Utilization of monocrotophos as phosphorus source by Pseudomonas aeruginosa F10B and Clavibacter michiganense subsp. insidiosum SBL 11

Monocrotophos (dimethyl (E)-1-methyl-2-(methylcarbamoyl) vinyl phosphate, or MCP), an organophosphorus insecticide, was used as a sole phosphorus source by the microorganisms isolated from the soil. None of the isolates could utilize MCP as a sole source of carbon. Two of the potential microbial isolates, Pseudomonas aeruginosa F10B and Clavibacter michiganense subsp. insidiosum SBL 11, could utilize MCP as a sole source of phosphorus. Pseudomonas aeruginosa F10B showed a lag phase of 4 h, while in the case of C. michiganense subsp. insidiosum SBL 11, it was 8 h when cultured in the presence of MCP. The generation time for both strains was increased in the medium containing MCP. It was 2.15 h for P. aeruginosa F10B in MCP medium as compared with 1.29 h in basal medium, while in case of C. michiganense subsp. insidiosum SBL 11 it was increased to 3.4 h in MCP medium as compared with 1.28 h in basal medium. These two strains were able to degrade technical MCP in shake-flask culture up to 98.9 and 86.9%, respectively, and pure MCP up to 79 and 80%, respectively, within 24 h at 37 degrees C. The optimal concentration of MCP required for the normal growth was 500 ppm. In the substrate preference study, Tris-p-nitrophenyl phosphate was the most preferred substrate followed by paraoxon. The enzyme responsible for the break down of MCP was phosphotriesterase, which was localized on the membrane-bound fraction of the disrupted cells. The gene responsible for the production of phosphotriesterase (opd) in P. aeruginosa F10B was plasmid-borne.