Cometabolic degradation of acifluorfen by a mixed microbial culture

Laboratory experiments were conducted to study the degradation of acifluorfen 5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-phenoxyl]-2-nitrobenzoic acid by a mixed microbial population. Concentrations of acifluorfen up to 100 mg/l had no inhibitory effect on the growth of microbial culture. The microorganisms degraded acifluorfen through a cometabolic process in presence of 2-nitrobenzoate. The degradation rate of acifluorfen, determined by liquid chromatography analysis in batch cultures incubated under oxygen-limited conditions were compared. The degradation was slower under oxygen than oxygen-limited conditions. Aminoacifluorfen was produced in both conditions.