Fungal biodegradation of chlorinated herbicides: an overview with an emphasis on 2,4-D in Argentina

Author: mycolabadmin
2/25/2023
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Summary

Fungi can effectively break down and remove harmful herbicides like 2,4-D, which is widely used in Argentine agriculture but poses health and environmental risks. Through their powerful enzymatic machinery, certain fungal species can degrade these toxic chemicals into less harmful substances. This review examines how these fungal degradation processes work and discusses how such fungi might be safely introduced into contaminated environments to clean them up, following Argentina’s regulatory requirements.

Background

Chlorinated herbicides, particularly 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), are widely used in agriculture but pose significant risks to the environment and human health. While bacterial degradation of these compounds has been extensively studied, fungal biodegradation mechanisms remain poorly understood. Argentina uses 2,4-D extensively for broadleaf weed control, yet no fungal degradation strains have been characterized in the country.

Objective

This review aims to outline the main mechanisms and pathways of 2,4-D degradation by fungi, with emphasis on research in Argentina. It synthesizes current knowledge on fungal enzymatic machinery for herbicide degradation and discusses regulatory frameworks for introducing biodegrading microorganisms into the environment.

Results

Multiple fungal species from divisions Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, and Mucoromycota demonstrate ability to degrade chlorinated herbicides through various enzymatic pathways. Aspergillus niger, Fusarium oxysporum, Umbelopsis isabellina, and Trametes versicolor show significant degradation capacity. Different fungal strains utilize distinct degradation pathways involving cytochrome P450, peroxidases, laccases, and dehalogenases.

Conclusion

Fungi possess substantial biotechnological potential for 2,4-D bioremediation through multiple enzymatic mechanisms, but their degradation capabilities remain less explored than bacterial degradation. Further research on fungal strains isolated from contaminated Argentine sites, characterization of degradation enzymes and pathways, and development of bioaugmentation strategies within existing regulatory frameworks are essential for effective environmental remediation.

Published in:Biodegradation,
Study Type:Review,
Source: PMID: 36840889, doi: 10.1007/s10532-023-10022-9