Advanced pesticide nano formulations and understanding their breakdown by Bacteria

Abstract

The widespread use of chemical pesticides in agriculture has undeniably caused significant environmental harm, affecting the quality of air, water, and soil. This growing concern has steered the focus towards the development and research of nano formulations, which promise effective pest control with substantially reduced pesticide concentrations. These new formulations, which allow for controlled delivery of active ingredients, are demonstrating effectiveness comparable to traditional pesticides, but with less environmental impact. However, it is important to acknowledge that these nano-pesticides still contain certain organic groups which are structurally complex and not easily degradable. These elements can persist in the environment, accumulating and becoming more concentrated through the food chain, potentially causing a range of environmental hazards over time. Encouragingly, research has identified that specific bacterial genera including , and and among others, have the unique ability to break down certain chemical groups present in these pesticides, using them as a sole source of carbon or nitrogen. This process transforms them into non-harmful end products, marking a promising step towards bioremediation. Currently, efforts are being made to develop this into a viable large-scale solution, exploring different combinations of nano-pesticides and bacteria strains under optimized conditions. Through further research in this area, we aim to identify the specific types of bacteria that are most effective in degrading these pesticide groups, ultimately paving the way for more sustainable environmental management in the future.