Microbial degradation of profluralin

A selective culture technique combined with autoradiography was used to isolate microorganisms which could degrade profluralin N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine]. Of seven isolates obtained from a Cecil loamy sand, the three most active in degrading the herbicide were tentatively identified as Arthrobacter simplex, Cellulomonas ftavigenum and Microbacterium flavum. Degradation of profluralin was determined in pure and mixed culture in the dark and subsequently measured by TLC and scintillation methodology. M. ftavum produced three products which were identified as: 2-amino-α,α,α-trifluoro-6-nitro-N-propyl-p-toluidine; N-(cyclopropylmethyl)-α,α,α-trifluoro-2,6-dinitro-p-toluidine; and 2-amino-α,α,α-trifluoro-6-nitro-p-toluidine. The major product detected with all three organisms was 2-amino-α,α,α-trinuoro-6-nitro-p-toluidine. No degradation was detected in the absence of exogenous C and N.; co-metabolic processes appeared to be involved.