Utilization of monocrotophos by Aspergillus sojae strain JPDA1 isolated from sugarcane fields of Vellore district in India

Abstract

Chemical pesticides are largely used in different types of crops all over the world. This particular study deals with the mycoremediation of the pesticide Monocrotophos (MCP) which is largely used for the protection of cash crops. Fungal isolates which had the potential to degrade MCP was isolated by means of enrichment technique from sugarcane fields which were sprayed with the pesticide prior to sample collection. The isolated strain was identified as Aspergillus sojae strain JPDA1 through molecular characterisation of 18s rRNA gene sequence. The strain was able to degrade 500 mg/l monocrotophos in 72h in mineral medium. Two type of trails were maintained, in the first trial, the soil was spiked with 500 mg/l of monocrotophos and amended with nutrients followed by inoculation of strain JPDA1 and in the second trial, the soil was spiked with 500 mg/l of monocrotophos devoid of nutrients with JPDA1 was inoculated. In the former trial the strain was able to degrade monocrotophos 144 h of incubation and in the latter the time taken was 168 h for degradation of pesticide. The course of the degradation process was studied using high performance liquid chromatography and fourier transform infrared analyses. These results showed that the particular fungus had a potential to degrade monocrotophos contaminated environments.