Anaerobic degradation of thiobencarb by mixed culture of isolated bacteria.

Thiobencarb is a highly effective thiocarbamate herbicide frequently used in rice fields globally. In this study, three bacterial strains (Dechloromonas sp. Th1, Thauera sp. Th2, and Azoarcus sp. Th3) isolated from immobilized biomass were analyzed for thiobencarb degradation under anaerobic conditions, with nitrate serving as an electron acceptor. The experimental results showed that thiobencarb was transformed by Dechloromonas sp. Th1 and Thauera sp. Th2 to produce high concentrations of metabolites in a mineral medium. Dechloromonas sp. Th1 dechlorinated the herbicide to benzyl mercaptan, which was then degraded by Thauera sp. Th2 and Azoarcus sp. Th3. Azoarcus sp. Th3 effectively degraded intermediates, i.e. 4-chlorobenzyl alcohol, 4-chlorobenzoic acid, and benzoic acid, produced from the degradation by Dechloromonas sp. Th1 and Thauera sp. Th2. The cross-feeding, nutrient sharing, and cooperation of all isolates in the degradation process decreased the concentrations of intermediate products. The determination of the degradation kinetics showed that the utilization in the exponential phase of the mixed bacteria was consistent with the Michaelis-Menten model, with a maximum degradation rate of 1.56 ± 0.16 µM day-1. This study showed the degradation mechanisms in bacteria and the synergistic process in the degradation of thiobencarb and its metabolites.