Biodegradation of carbaryl by a Micrococcus species

Abstract

A bacterium capable of utilizing carbaryl as sole source of carbon was isolated from garden soil and identified as a Micrococcus species. The organism also utilized carbofuran, naphthalene, 1-naphthol, and several other aromatic compounds as growth substrates. The organism degraded carbaryl by hydrolysis to yield 1-naphthol and methylamine. 1-Naphthol was further metabolized via salicylate by a gentisate pathway, as evidenced by oxygen uptake and enzymatic studies.