Biodegradation of chlorantraniliprole by Klebsiella spp. and Staphylococcus epidermidis

Chlorantraniliprole, as a widely used plant protection product, raises concerns about the environment due to its moderately persistent residues. The present investigation involved the in vitro degradation of chlorantraniliprole by bacteria isolated from farmgate fruits and vegetables from pesticide-intensive fields. A total of 10 different bacterial isolates were obtained and characterised through several morphological characters as well as biochemical tests and 16S rRNA sequencing. Out of the total 10 isolates, 9 were from the genus Klebsiella and 1 from Staphylococcus. The degradation of chlorantraniliprole was assessed using the ten isolates of bacteria in diluted nutrient broth at two different inoculum concentrations (1 and 5%) over three different time intervals (0, 5, and 10 days after inoculation). K. pneumoniae (PPCO1) was found to be the most potent bacterium for degradation of chlorantraniliprole, with a degradation capability of 85.36%, over other isolates and degradation was lowest in S. epidermidis (PSGCO1) (77.32%) on the 10th day after inoculation. These results highlight the potential of Klebsiella spp. and S. epidermidis as promising candidates for the removal of chlorantraniliprole residues in broth under controlled conditions; however, field validation is essential to confirm their efficacy in mitigating pesticide residues under natural environmental settings.