Microbial biodegradation of carbendazim and sulfosulfuron: A sustainable approach for pesticide detoxification and soil restoration

Abstract

The persistent use of synthetic pesticides such as carbendazim and sulfosulfuron has led to serious ecological challenges, including soil toxicity, microbial imbalance, and loss of biodiversity. The present study explores the efficiency of indigenous soil microorganisms
in degrading these persistent pesticides under controlled laboratory and field conditions. A consortium of Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Arthrobacter sp. was developed through enrichment and screening based on tolerance index and enzymatic potential. The optimized consortium exhibited over 85% degradation of carbendazim and 78% of sulfosulfuron within 10 days at 30 ± 2 °C, confirmed through HPLC and GC–MS analyses. Intermediate metabolites such as 2-aminobenzimidazole and sulfonylurea derivatives were identified and further mineralized into non-toxic compounds. Enhanced activities of soil dehydrogenase and laccase enzymes, along with improved microbial biomass carbon, indicated ecological recovery. SEM and FTIR analyses provided insights into cell-surface interactions and functional group transformations during degradation. The results demonstrate that microbial bioaugmentation using native strains offers a promising, low-cost, and eco-sustainable strategy for detoxifying pesticide residues while restoring soil health and biodiversity. This work highlights the potential of microbial remediation as an integral component of sustainable agricultural practices, contributing directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-2, SDG-12, and SDG-15).