Optimization and Modeling of Glyphosate Biodegradation by a Novel Comamonas odontotermitis P2 Through Response Surface Methodology

Abstract Glyphosate is an important organophosphonate herbicide used to eliminate grasses and herbaceous plants in many vegetation management situations. Its extensive use is causing environmental pollution and consequently there is a need to remove it from environment using an eco friendly and cost effective method. As a step to address this problem, a novel bacterial strain Comamonas odontotermitis P2 capable to utilize glyphosate as carbon and phosphorus source was isolated and characterized. Response surface methodology (RSM) employing 2 3 full factorial central composite design was used to optimize glyphosate degradation by C. odontotermitis P2 under various culture conditions. The strain P2 was proficient to degrade 1.5 g L −1 glyphosate completely within 104 h. The optimal conditions for the degradation of glyphosate were found to be pH 7.4, at 29.9 °C and inoculum density 0.54 g L −1 , resulting in a maximum degradation of 90%. Sequencing of GOX (glyphosate oxidoreductase) and phnJ (C-P lyase) genes from C. odontotermitis P2 revealed 99% and 93% identity to already reported bacterial GOX and phnJ genes respectively. Presence of these two genes in C. odontotermitis indicates its potential to degrade glyphosate through GOX and C-P lyase metabolic pathways. This study demonstrates the potential of C. odontotermitis P2 for efficient degradation of glyphosate which can be exploited for remediation of glyphosate.