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Bacterial Cytochrome P450 Involvement in the Biodegradation of Fluorinated Pyrethroids

Summary

Scientists isolated a soil bacterium called Bacillus sp. MFK14 that can completely break down toxic fluorinated pesticides (specifically β-cyfluthrin and λ-cyhalothrin) within just two days. These pesticides are widely used in agriculture but persist in the environment and accumulate in living tissues, causing health problems. The study shows that special bacterial enzymes called cytochrome P450 play a key role in breaking these pesticides apart into less harmful products like fluoride ions. This discovery offers a promising natural solution for cleaning up pesticide-contaminated soil and water.

Background

Fluorinated pyrethroids such as cyfluthrin and cyhalothrin are widely used insecticides with enhanced stability and lipophilicity, but they pose significant risks to non-target organisms due to their environmental persistence and tissue accumulation. Microbial biodegradation has emerged as a potential strategy for mitigating pyrethroid contamination, though the role of bacterial cytochrome P450 enzymes in this process remains largely unreported.

Objective

This study investigates the biodegradation of fluorinated pyrethroids β-cyfluthrin and λ-cyhalothrin using a newly isolated Bacillus sp. MFK14 from garden soil, with particular focus on identifying degradation pathways and the involvement of bacterial cytochrome P450 enzymes.

Results

Bacillus sp. MFK14 completely degraded both β-cyfluthrin and λ-cyhalothrin within 48 hours at 30°C, producing 13 metabolites each. Fluoride ions and trifluoroacetic acid were detected as end-products. Inhibition studies confirmed that cytochrome P450 enzymes mediated multiple degradation steps, and genomic analysis revealed 23 CYP variants with significant sequence similarity to known bacterial CYPs.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the potential of Bacillus sp. MFK14 for bioremediation of fluorinated pesticides through cytochrome P450-mediated biodegradation pathways. The findings highlight the evolutionary conservation and functional importance of bacterial CYP enzymes in breaking down persistent organic pollutants, offering an environmentally sustainable approach to mitigate ecological impact.
  • Published in:Journal of Xenobiotics,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 40278163, DOI: 10.3390/jox15020058
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