Microbial Remediation of Dichloro-Diphenyl- Trichloroethane (DDT)

Abstract

The insecticide had been intensively applied for agricultural pest control since 1940. It was disqualified because it persists in the environment, accumulates in fatty tissues, and can cause bad health effects on wildlife and human being. The organochlorine (DDT) has been programmed under the Stockholm Convention to protect human health and the environment from Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). Biodegradation is carried out by microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) that naturally live in the environment. Bacteria and fungi have very diverse metabolisms, and they use a wide variety of food and energy sources and perform many important functions by decomposition. Complete biodegradation of DDT involves the oxidation of parent compound to form carbon dioxide and water and provides both carbon and energy for the growth and reproduction of microbes. Each degradation step is catalyzed by specific enzyme produced by a degrading cell or enzyme found external to the cell. Degradation of insecticide by enzyme will stop at any step if an appropriate enzyme is not present. Effects of DDT on human health and the environment depend on the dose of DDT and the timespan and frequency of exposure. It effects also depend on the health of a person and certain environmental factors. DDE and DDT can pass to the fetus in pregnant women. Both chemicals are found in breast milk, resulting in exposure to nursing infants. Microbes can be screened out from soil and wastewater as an effective tool for biodegradation of toxic organic chemicals. Phanerochaete and related fungi that have the ability to attack wood possess a powerful extracellular enzyme that, acts on a broad array of organic compounds

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