Isolation of Cyanobacteria from water sample and study of its efficiency to degrade Organophosphorus Pesticide Malathion.

Abstract

This research focuses on the phycoremediation potential of cyanobacteria in degrading the organophosphorous pesticide malathion. Cyanobacterial strains isolated from water samples obtained from paddy field were cultivated using BG11 and Pringsheim’s media. The study has three main objectives. Firstly, it investigates the impact of malathion on the growth of selected cyanobacterial strains, analyzing growth patterns over an 8-10 week period. Secondly, it examines the ability of cyanobacteria to utilize malathion as a phosphorous source, offering insights into their potential role in phosphorous pollution mitigation. Lastly, the research quantifies changes in phosphorous and pesticide residue levels within the culture media, providing a comprehensive understanding of nutrient dynamics during the incubation period. This research contributes to the field of phycoremediation by elucidating the interactions between cyanobacteria and malathion. The findings hold relevance for environmental scientist and ecologists involved in the sustainable management of pesticide-contaminated aquatic ecosystems.