Characterisation of bacterial cultures enriched on the chlorophenoxyalkanoic acid herbicides 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid and 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy) butyric acid.

The aim of this study was to enrich and characterise bacterial consortia from soils around a herbicide production plant through their capability to degrade the herbicides 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid (2,4-DB) and 4-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy) butyric acid (MCPB). Partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed members of the genera Stenotrophomonas, Brevundimonas, Pseudomonas, and Ochrobactrum in the 2,4-DB- and MCPB-degrading communities. The degradation of 2,4-DB and MCPB was facilitated by the combined activities of the community members. Some of the members were able to utilise other herbicides from the family of chlorophenoxyalkanoic acids. During degradation of 2,4-DB and MCPB, phenol intermediates were detected, indicating ether cleavage of the side chain as the initial step responsible for the breakdown. This was also verified using an indicator medium. Repeated attempts to amplify putatively conserved tfd genes by PCR indicated the absence of tfd genes among the consortia members. First step cleavage of the chlorophenoxybutyric acid herbicides is by ether cleavage in bacteria and is encoded by divergent or different tfd gene types. The isolation of mixed cultures capable of degrading 2,4-DB and MCPB will aid future investigations to determine both the metabolic route for dissimilation and the fate of these herbicides in natural environments.