wider variety and catalytic ability (Paul et al. 2005). It can function even in the
absence of oxygen and other extreme conditions. Searching for potential microorganisms that can degrade pollutants, understanding their genetic and biochemical
composition, and developing methods for their application in this field have become
important tasks for mankind (Megharaj et al. 2011).
3.1 Chemistry Behind Pesticide Degradation
The chemical structure of pesticides strongly influences the susceptibility of pesticides and so their biodegradation. Many studies have shown the relationship
between the chemical structure of pesticides and their biodegradability. Some
pesticides are easily degraded, but the degradation of some of them are hindered
due to the presence of anionic species (Julia et al. 2001). Qualitative analysis of the
chemical structure of pesticides can be used to develop bioremediation strategies.
Compounds with groups carboxylate (-C(O)OR), amide (-C(O)NR 2 ), phosphate,
hydroxyl (-OH), formyl (-CHO), and carboxyl (-COOH)) are prone to biodegradation due to anoxic conditions. These structural groups are common in nature, and
microorganisms may have developed the enzymes needed to deal with them. On the
other hand, the presence of certain structural groups reduces the chance of biodegradation. These groups are chlorine and nitro groups, especially those on aromatic
rings, quaternary carbon (CR 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 , no R ¼ H), and tertiary nitrogen (NR 1 R 2 R 3 ,
no R ¼ H), reducing the chance of bioremediation (Schwarzenbach et al. 2003). The
enzymes play as a central role in biodegradation (Riya and Jagatpati 2012). Microbial enzymes can convert or degrade pesticides and are an innovative treatment
technology used to remove chemicals from polluted environments. The ability of
microorganisms to interact chemically and physically makes them an effective
degrading agent, leading to structural changes or complete degradation of the target
compound. In the microbial community, bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes are the
main pesticide degrading agents (Briceño et al. 2007). Enzyme-catalyzed degradation of pesticides is more effective than the existing chemical methods. Among
microorganisms, fungi and bacteria are considered to be excellent microorganisms
that produce extracellular enzymes. White rot fungi have been found to be promising
bioremediation agents, especially for compounds that are not easily degraded by
bacteria. This ability stems from the production of extracellular enzymes and acts on
a broad spectrum of organic compounds. Some of these extracellular enzymes are
involved in lignin degradation, such as lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase,
laccase, and oxidase.
8 Bioremediation: Efficient Technology to Combat Pesticide Pollutants in. . .
155
absence of oxygen and other extreme conditions. Searching for potential microorganisms that can degrade pollutants, understanding their genetic and biochemical
composition, and developing methods for their application in this field have become
important tasks for mankind (Megharaj et al. 2011).
3.1 Chemistry Behind Pesticide Degradation
The chemical structure of pesticides strongly influences the susceptibility of pesticides and so their biodegradation. Many studies have shown the relationship
between the chemical structure of pesticides and their biodegradability. Some
pesticides are easily degraded, but the degradation of some of them are hindered
due to the presence of anionic species (Julia et al. 2001). Qualitative analysis of the
chemical structure of pesticides can be used to develop bioremediation strategies.
Compounds with groups carboxylate (-C(O)OR), amide (-C(O)NR 2 ), phosphate,
hydroxyl (-OH), formyl (-CHO), and carboxyl (-COOH)) are prone to biodegradation due to anoxic conditions. These structural groups are common in nature, and
microorganisms may have developed the enzymes needed to deal with them. On the
other hand, the presence of certain structural groups reduces the chance of biodegradation. These groups are chlorine and nitro groups, especially those on aromatic
rings, quaternary carbon (CR 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 , no R ¼ H), and tertiary nitrogen (NR 1 R 2 R 3 ,
no R ¼ H), reducing the chance of bioremediation (Schwarzenbach et al. 2003). The
enzymes play as a central role in biodegradation (Riya and Jagatpati 2012). Microbial enzymes can convert or degrade pesticides and are an innovative treatment
technology used to remove chemicals from polluted environments. The ability of
microorganisms to interact chemically and physically makes them an effective
degrading agent, leading to structural changes or complete degradation of the target
compound. In the microbial community, bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes are the
main pesticide degrading agents (Briceño et al. 2007). Enzyme-catalyzed degradation of pesticides is more effective than the existing chemical methods. Among
microorganisms, fungi and bacteria are considered to be excellent microorganisms
that produce extracellular enzymes. White rot fungi have been found to be promising
bioremediation agents, especially for compounds that are not easily degraded by
bacteria. This ability stems from the production of extracellular enzymes and acts on
a broad spectrum of organic compounds. Some of these extracellular enzymes are
involved in lignin degradation, such as lignin peroxidase, manganese peroxidase,
laccase, and oxidase.
8 Bioremediation: Efficient Technology to Combat Pesticide Pollutants in. . .
155