Optimization Studies on Degradation of Endosulfan by Indigenous Soil Bacterial Isolates

The study aimed at optimizing suitable conditions which are favorable for effective degradation of the endosulfan residues. The work involved isolation of bacterial species from two different soils (Red and Black soils) which is subjected to repeated applications of endosulfan. The isolates from the soils were differentiated with morphological and biochemical studies and checked for the degradation potential. Four isolates RS1, RS2, BS1 and BS2 were isolated and checked for their degradation potential at different pH (pH 5.5, pH 7.6, pH 8.5), different temperature (Room and Incubation temperature) and different concentrations ( 80, 100, 120mg/l) respectively. The results showed varying degrees of degradation. The optimal conditions which showed effective degradation with comparison with all the parameters were at pH 7.6 and at incubation temperature over the concentration of 80mg/l. All the four isolates showed the same pattern of degradation and there is no significant variation between them. Thus the outcome of this work may have practical applications in bioremediation of endosulfan contaminated soil.