Biodegradation Potential of Glyphosate by Bacteria: A Systematic Review on Metabolic Mechanisms and Application Strategies

Abstract

The biodegradation of glyphosate by bacteria is an emerging bioremediation strategy necessitated by the intensive use of this herbicide in global agriculture. This study systematically reviews the literature to identify bacteria with the potential to degrade glyphosate. The PRISMA protocol was utilized, considering relevant articles identified in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Science Direct. The research identified 34 eligible studies, highlighting the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Ochrobactrum as having the greatest potential for glyphosate degradation. These findings were based on analytical techniques such as High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), which identified and quantified intermediate metabolites, primarily AMPA (aminomethylphosphonic acid), sarcosine, and glyoxylate. This investigation also addressed enzymatic efficiency in biodegradation, emphasizing enzymes like glyphosate oxidoreductase and C-P lyases. The results indicated that South and North America lead in publications on this topic, with Argentina and the United States being the main contributors, reflecting the intense use of glyphosate in these countries. Additionally, studies in Europe and Asia focused on microbial diversity, exploring various bacterial genera. This investigation revealed that despite the promising microbial potential, there are challenges related to environmental condition variations and the cost of large-scale implementation, indicating that continuous research and process optimization are essential for the effective and sustainable application of this biotechnology.