Comparative Analysis of Chemical, Fungal and Enzymatic Degradation of MCP

In general three different methods are used for the cleanup of pesticides. These include chemical, microbial and enzymatic methods. Therefore, the present study is an endeavor to compare the efficiency of all the three methods for the study of degradation of monocrotophos (MCP) (150 μgml-1). Chemical method involved the use of 0.1N NaOH, whereas for the biological as well as enzymatic method, molecularly characterized fungal strain Aspergillus niger JQ660373 was used. %age of MCP degradation was assessed in the form of residual MCP concentration and hence degradation kinetics was premeditated. The results were confirmed by using analytical tools, High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) and Fourier Transfom Infrared (FTIR). Results of the study demonstrated that degradation of MCP followed first order kinetics with the calculated half-life of 0.79 days in enzymatic method as compared to 3.16 and 4.21 days for fungal and chemical method. HPTLC chromatograms clearly indicate significant decrease in the standard MCP peak (rf 0.19-0.21) with increasing incubation duration. Molecular insight of MCP degradation as studied, suggests hydrolytic cleavage of MCP resulting in the formation of inorganic phosphates (–PO4) and amines. The overall efficiency of degradation was found to be Enzymatic > Fungal > Chemical.