Degradation of prochloraz and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by environmental bacterial strains

Eight bacterial isolates from enrichment with 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) as sole carbon source were tested for their potential to degrade prochloraz. None of them could grow on prochloraz. Strain C964, identified as Aureobacterium sp., effectively reduced the fungitoxic activity of prochloraz in a bioassay and degradation was confirmed by HPLC. Two other isolates, strain C611 and C961, using TCP as a carbon source, belong to the beta subclass of the proteobacteria and presumely degrade TCP via 2,4-dichlorohydroquinone and hydroxyhydroquinone as indicated by oxygen-consumption tests.