Sustainable Utilization of Fungi in Agriculture and Industry

Bioremediation of Cypermethrin by Fungi

Author(s): Vrushali Wagh*, Nafisa Patel, Bharatkumar Sapkal and Shanthipriya Ajmera

Pp: 430-446 (17)

DOI: 10.2174/9789815040340122040027

* (Excluding Mailing and Handling)

Abstract

All over the world, due to the extensive use of pesticides in the agriculture
sector, the soil gets contaminated and polluted. In the agriculture field, the pyrethroid
pesticide cypermethrin is extensively used to control cotton, vegetables, and fruit
insects. Cypermethrin is harmful for the atmosphere, human beings, and animals, along
with having exerted detrimental effects on the nervous and reproductive system.
Cypermethrin is moderately toxic to the skin and also negatively affects health, such as
neurotoxicity and reproductivity. The toxicity of cypermethrin may also lead to death.
Due to the very slow degradation rate, low water solubility, and nonpolar nature, the
residues of cypermethrin can persist in soil for a longer period with a significant threat.
The metabolite of cypermethrin, 3-phenoxy benzoic acid, is also hazardous to humans
and surroundings, in addition to causing serious widespread soil and groundwater
pollution. Therefore, there is a need to identify and remove such hazardous chemicals.
Bioremediation is the best alternative, which is the most effective, inexpensive, and
eco-friendly method. This chapter shows an overview of the current status of
biodegradation of cypermethrin in soil and simultaneously also highlights applications
of the bioremediation process, which converts cypermethrin and 3-PBA into simple
and harmless substances, which play a key role in protecting human lives and the
environment. Fungi play a major role in the bioremediation of cypermethrin and 3-PBA
contaminating soil. Fungi are more efficient than bacteria because fungi are critical to
the biogeochemical cycle and responsible for the bulk of the degradation of xenobiotics
like cypermethrin.


Keywords: 3-phenoxy benzoic acid (3-PBA), Biodegradation, Bioremediation, Neurotoxicity.

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