Isolation and optimization of a glyphosate-degrading Rhodococcus soli G41 for bioremediation

A widely used herbicide for controlling weeds, glyphosate, is causing environmental pollution. It is necessary to remove it from environment using a cost-effective and eco-friendly method. The aims of this study were to isolate glyphosate-degrading bacteria and to optimize their degradative conditions required for bioremediation. Sixteen bacterial strains were isolated through enrichment and one strain, Rhodococcus soli G41, demonstrated a high removal rate of glyphosate than other strains. Response surface methodology was employed to optimize distinct environmental factors on glyphosate degradation of G41 strain. The optimal conditions for the maximum glyphosate degradation were found to have the NH4Cl concentration of 0.663% and glyphosate concentration of 0.115%, resulting in a maximum degradation of 42.7% after 7 days. Bioremediation analysis showed 47.1% and 40% of glyphosate in unsterile soil and sterile soil was removed by G41 strain after 14 days, respectively. The presence of soxB gene in G41 strain indicates that the glyphosate is degraded via the eco-friendly sarcosine pathway. The results indicated that G41 strain has the potential to serve as an in-situ candidate for bioremediation of glyphosate polluted environments.