Exploration of Cladosporium uredinicola GRDBF21 and Bipolaris maydis GRDBF23 in biodegradation of the organophosphorus pesticide chlorpyrifos

Objectives The present study explored the ability of lignin-degrading enzyme-producing fungal isolates, Cladosporium uredinicola GRDBF21 (Accession No. KJ913698) and Bipolaris maydis GRDBF23 (Accession No. KJ913699) in the biodegradation of structurally complex CPS. Methodology Axenic cultures of the test isolates were acclimatised to CPS in Czapek Dox broth (CDB) containing 50 mgL−1 followed by 100 mgL−1 of CPS and subsequently with 200 mgL−1 of CPS as the only carbon source. A comparative evaluation of biomass production by the isolates in the presence and absence of CPS was made. The biodegradation of CPS by the isolates was evaluated by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS). Results The Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) of CPS against C. uredinicola GRDBF21 and B. maydis GRDBF23 were 700 mg/L and 1300 mg/L, respectively. In the presence of CPS, C. uredinicola GRDBF21 and B. maydis GRDBF23 exhibited biomass production and maximum laccase activity of 4.2 g/L & 5.15 g/L and 290.14 U L−1 & 164.91 U L−1, respectively. The GC–MS analysis proved an effective biodegradation as only a negligible and unquantifiable amount of CPS was present after 20 d of incubation. Conclusion These results are indicative that the test isolates could be effectively used in the bioremediation of recalcitrant environmental pollutants, especially organophosphate pesticides like CPS.