[Cometabolic degradation of the herbicide nitrofen by mixed bacterial cultures]

The herbicide nitrofen undergoes microbial degradation by mixed bacterial populations isolated from arable soil, and with a supply of acetate, within 4 to 5 weeks. The degradation proceeds endogenously after an ATP-dependent uptake of the agent followed by a temporary accumulation. This cometabolic degradation, however, shows two peculiarities, (a) the occurrence of a lag-phase and (b) the possible use of endogenous storage products. In the case of application of glucose as a substratum for growth the degradation is blocked in consequence of a catabolic enzyme reprisal. If there are used more complex organic substrates, i.e. peptone and algal biomass, respectively, the degradation is retarded compared with acetate.