In vitro study of mycoremediation of cypermethrin-contaminated soils in different regions of Punjab

Abstract

Cypermethrin is extensively used in cotton, fruit, and vegetable crops as well as in home and garden pest control worldwide. Because of its non-degrading and persisting nature, its extensive use is a great threat to the environment. Therefore, this study was undertaken in order to isolate fungi and evaluate their potential for mycoremediation of cypermethrin. Twenty-eight fungal isolates were purified from agricultural soil and then tested for cypermethrin degradation under lab conditions. Two of the isolates, 2S3 and 4S4, showed the potential to degrade cypermethrin at a concentration of 100 mg L−1 when incubated for 5 days. Strain 2S3 showed a degradation potential of about 66 % with cypermethrin only mixed with water and almost 80 % when media and a carbon source were available. On the other hand,, strain 4S4 showed around 70 and 80 %, respectively, under the same conditions. The strains were identified by 18S rRNA sequencing and alignment. The results showed 97 % sequence similarity with Fusarium oxysporum strain 8-11P and Fusarium sp. zzz1124. Both qualitative and quantitative investigations were conducted on the pesticide residues using FTIR set-up and HPLC analysis to confirm bioremediation of pyrethroid-contaminated environments.