ISSN 2736-1756
Advanced Journal of Microbiology Research ISSN 2736-1756 Vol. 15 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2021. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Isolation and characterization of bacteria from Melaka rubber estate agricultural soil to utilize 2,2-DCP as only carbon source
Wen-Yong Wong1 and Fahrul Huyop2*
1Microbiology Laboratory, Faculty of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
2Industrial Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Accepted 13 November, 2020
Abstract
Industrial chemicals and pesticides from agricultural activities cause a considerable threat to the environment. 2,2-dichloropropionate (2,2-DCP) is a synthetic halogenated compound used as herbicide. High concentration of 2,2-DCP is toxic if released to the environment and may pollute the soil and ground water source. Using current enrichment technique it was expected to isolate a new bacteria species able to degrade -halocarboxylic acid. Strain Wy1 isolated from soil in Melaka rubber estate was able to utilize 30 mM 2,2-DCP as the sole source of carbon and energy with maximum chloride ion released of 0.27 mmol/L in the liquid growth medium. The biochemical test and 16S rRNA analysis suggested that the bacterial identity was from the genus Labrys sp., and therefore it was designated as Labrys sp. strain Wy1. The cells doubling time in 30 mM 2,2-DCP liquid minimal medium was 33.44 h. Cell growth was inhibited when grown in liquid minimal medium above 30 mM 2,2-DCP due to the toxicity of 2,2-DCP to the cells. This is the first reported case that the genus Labrys sp. is able to degrade 2,2-DCP.
Key words: 2,2-dichloropropionate, dehalogenase, soil bacteria, Labrys sp.