Characterization and Growth Evaluation of Carbofuran-degrading Local Bacteria Isolated from Brinchang Cameron Highlands Malaysia

The insecticide carbofuran is a broad spectrum carbamate pesticide often used to control pests in agricultural sector. However, despite its ability to effectively kill the insects in the farms, health associated problems are still been reported due to its higher level of toxicity. The biodegradation is an effective method used for the removal of these compound from the environment since previous methods using chemical process of degradation prove to be ineffective due to the presence of highly stable bonds. Bacterial strain BRC05 isolated from vegetable plantation area of Cameron highlands was found to have carbofuran-degrading ability. The morphology and growth at different concentration of carbofuran was studied. The growth of the isolate was evaluated in Carbofuran medium under stable and shaking conditions. The gram negative motile and rod-shaped BRC05 show good growth on Carbofuran medium after 12 hours of incubation. The optical densities of the isolate was more under shaking condition and differed significantly than under static conditions. There is no significant difference (p>0.05) between growth at 25 and 50 mg/l under static conditions. At 25 mg/l under shaking condition the insecticide has less effect on the growth of the isolate. It was found that BRC05 could grow well and reach the largest biomass in the medium containing 25 mg/l of carbofuran and could keep active growth even in medium with high concentration of carbofuran 100 mg/l. These showed that the bacteria could grow and remove carbofuran in soils effectively and safely. The present study may provide a basis for bio treatment and bioremediation of carbofuran-contaminated soils.