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Biodegradability and biodegradation pathways of endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology volume 97, pages 3285–3292 (2013)Cite this article

Abstract

Endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate are persistent organic pollutants that cause serious environmental problems. Although these compounds are already prohibited in many countries, residues can be detected in soils with a history of endosulfan application. Endosulfan is transformed in the environment into endosulfan sulfate, which is a toxic and persistent metabolite. However, some microorganisms can degrade endosulfan without producing endosulfan sulfate, and some can degrade endosulfan sulfate. Therefore, biodegradation has the potential to clean up soil contaminated with endosulfan. In this review, we provide an overview of aerobic endosulfan degradation by bacteria and fungi, and a summary of recent advances and prospects in this research field.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (Research project for ensuring food safety from farm to table PO-2215). We thank Dr. Ken-ichi Yamazaki, National Institute for Agro-environmental Sciences, Mr. Futa Sakakibara, and Mr. Fujimasa Kawashima, Tokyo University of Agriculture, for their valuable suggestions.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, 4-4-37 Takeda, Kofu, Yamanashi, 400-8510, Japan

    Ryota Kataoka

  2. Organochemicals Division, National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences, 3-1-3 Kannondai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8604, Japan

    Kazuhiro Takagi

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  1. Ryota Kataoka
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  2. Kazuhiro Takagi
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Correspondence to Kazuhiro Takagi.

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Kataoka, R., Takagi, K. Biodegradability and biodegradation pathways of endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 97, 3285–3292 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-4774-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-013-4774-4

Keywords

  • Bioavailability
  • Biodegradation
  • Endosulfan sulfate
  • Toxicity
  • Metabolites