Bacterial metabolism of carbofuran

Fifteen bacteria capable of degrading carbofuran (2,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl methylcarbamate) were isolated from soil samples with a history of pesticide application. All isolates were gram negative and were oxidase- and catalase-positive rods; they occurred singly or as short chains. All of the identified isolates belonged to one of two genera, Pseudomonas and Flavobacterium. They were separated into three groups based on their mode of utilization of carbofuran. Six isolates were placed in group I; these isolates utilized carbofuran as a sole source of nitrogen. Seven isolates were placed in group II; these isolates utilized the pesticide as a sole source of carbon. Isolates of both groups I and II hydrolyzed carbofuran to carbofuran phenol. Two isolates, designated group III, also utilized carbofuran as a sole source of carbon. They degraded the pesticide more rapidly, however, so up to 40% of [14C]carbofuran was lost as 14CO2 in 1 h. The results suggest that these isolates degrade carbofuran by utilizing an oxidative pathway.