Effect of Tween 80 and Moisture Regimes on Endosulfan Degradation by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

The problem of endosulfan bioremediation is poor solubility and restriction of appropriate biocatalyst. One promising approach in increasing the bioavailability of this organic compound is addition of surfactants. The synthetic surfactant Tween 80 was non-toxic to soil microorganisms and inert to the soil matrix and had the additional benefit of causing an enhanced dissolution rate for single compounds. The degradation of alpha and beta endosulfan by Pseudomonas aeruginosa with Tween 80 and different moisture regimes (flooded and non-flooded conditions) was studied. The rate of degradation was maximum (92 %) in non-flooded and Tween 80 added soil; the bacterial count was also maximum. The addition of synthetic surfactant Tween 80 enhanced the solubility and degradation of endosulfan. The degradation of both the isomers were observed and accompanied with formation of endodiol and endosulfan sulfate.