GAJANAN VISHNU MALI
Abstract
Insecticide additives are added into the insecticide formulations to increase the efficiency of insecticides. However, they are responsible for considerable ecotoxicity. Talloamineethoxylate, a nonionic surfactant is used as an insecticide additive in organophosphorus insecticide formulation. The present study was carried out with the objective of checking the potential of Pseudomonas desmolyticum NCIM 2112 in the biodegradation of toxic insecticide additive tallowamineethoxylate into non toxic metabolites as well as the evaluation of phytotoxicity and aquatic toxicity of the tallowamineethoxylate and its metabolites produced by Pseudomonas desmolyticum NCIM 2112. The results revealed the phytotoxicity as well as aquatic toxicity of tallowamineethoxylate but reduced or no toxicity of metabolites indicating the potential application of Pseudomonas desmolyticum NCIM 2112 in biodegradation of ecotoxic tallowamineethoxylate into their nontoxic metabolites.