Plasmid Mediated Degradation of Diazinon by Three Bacterial Strains Pseudomonas sp., Flavobacterium sp. and Agrobacterium sp.

Abstract

Three microorganisms, which utilize diazinon as a sole source of carbon, phosphorus and energy for growth, were isolated from an enrichment culture. The microorganisms were identified as Pseudomonas sp., Agrobacterium sp. and Flavobacterium sp. The bacterial strains were found to harbour three endogenous plasmids. Two of the plasmids were lost when the microorganisms were treated with ethidium. Loss of the plasmids in the organisms was correlated with the loss of the ability to metabolize diazinon. Phenotypic testing of the wild type and cured strains revealed that the gene(s) responsible for diazinon degradation may reside upon the plasmids.