Biodegradation of mixtures of chlorophenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides by Alcaligenes denitrificans

An Alcaligenes denitrificans strain able to degrade (R)-2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid [(R)-MCPP, mecoprop] was assessed for its ability to utilise a range of chlorophenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides in single, binary, tertiary and quaternary combinations in batch culture. Degradation rates were rapid with single growth substrates; complete degradation occurred within 29 h for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), 43 h for 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetic acid (MCPA) and 50 h for (R)-MCPP, respectively. After 20 h, the degradation of (RS)-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionic acid [(RS)-2,4-DP] had ceased, with only the (R)-enantiomer being degraded. In binary combination, 2,4-D and MCPP degraded within 55 h. Degradation rates decreased when herbicides were added in tertiary and quaternary combinations. Thus, at the whole cell level, catalysis of closely related herbicides is likely to be facilitated by diverse enzymatic activity in A. denitrificans. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2000) 25, 255–259.