Statistical Optimization of Monocrotophos Biodegradation Using Staphylococcus Species

Monocrotophos is both a systemic and control pesticide abundantly used for the protection of various cash crops. It is one of the highly hazardous organophosphate pesticides used and easily available in India even after being banned by WHO (World Health Organization). A potential monocrotophos degrading bacterial strain was isolated from soil by enrichment culture technique and identified as Staphylococcus spp. The bacterial growth and monocrotophos degradation were accelerated and increased by the isolate and it was capable of degrading about 54g. Culture conditions for degradation of the pesticide were statistically optimized by using eleven parameters and showed significant increase about 1.5 fold. The biodegraded sample showed greater reduction in toxicity as that of control on Allium cepa that proves bioremediation.