MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Screening, identification, metabolic pathway of di-n-butyl phthalate degrading Priestia megaterium P-7 isolated from long-term film mulched cotton field soil in Xinjiang

Summary

This research identifies a special bacterium called Priestia megaterium P-7 that can efficiently break down di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), a harmful plastic chemical that accumulates in cotton field soils. Scientists found that this bacterium can completely remove DBP from contaminated soil within 20 hours under optimal conditions. By studying the bacterium’s genes and metabolism, they discovered the specific enzymes and pathways it uses to degrade DBP into harmless compounds. This finding offers a practical biological solution for cleaning up contaminated agricultural soils, particularly in Xinjiang where plastic film mulching is widely used in cotton farming.

Background

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is a widely used phthalate ester plasticizer that accumulates in agricultural soils, particularly in long-term plastic film mulched cotton fields in Xinjiang. DBP poses significant environmental and health threats due to its persistence, bioaccumulation potential, and endocrine-disrupting properties. Microbial biodegradation offers an economical and environmentally friendly strategy for remediating DBP-contaminated soils.

Objective

To isolate and identify efficient DBP-degrading bacteria from film-mulched cotton field soil in Xinjiang, optimize degradation conditions, and elucidate the metabolic pathways and genetic mechanisms underlying DBP degradation.

Results

Priestia megaterium P-7 achieved 100% DBP removal within 20 hours under optimal conditions and demonstrated broad substrate specificity for other phthalate esters. Genomic analysis identified key esterase/hydrolase genes (lip, aes, ybfF, estA, yvaK) and decarboxylase/dioxygenase genes facilitating DBP catabolism. Metabolomics revealed three degradation pathways: decarboxylation, hydrolysis, and direct β-oxidation, all converging to catechol and eventually the TCA cycle.

Conclusion

P. megaterium P-7 demonstrates exceptional DBP degradation efficiency, substrate versatility, and stress tolerance, making it a promising candidate for bioremediation of phthalate ester-contaminated soils. The study reveals the genetic and metabolic basis of DBP degradation and provides a foundation for practical application in agricultural soil remediation.
  • Published in:Frontiers in Microbiology,
  • Study Type:Experimental microbiology study,
  • Source: PMID: 40371103, DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1538746
Scroll to Top