Yaser Sharifi - MSc, Department of Microbiology, Qom Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qom, Iran
Ahmad Ali Pourbabaei - Assistant Professor, Department of Soil Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Ali Javadi - PhD Student, Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohammad Hossein Abdolmohammadi - Assistant Professor, Research Center for Environmental Pollutants, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

Background: Glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl Glycine) is an organophosphorus pesticide with dangerous effects on the environment. In this study, the biodegradation of glyphosate herbicide by halophilic bacteria isolated from Qom Hoze-Soltan Lake has been investigated.Methods: After sampling and bacterial isolation, native halophilic strains grown in the presence of glyphosate at a wavelength of 660 nm and also the disappearance of the glyphosate in the plates at a wavelength of 220 nm were determined and the dominant bacteria were isolated. Biochemical, molecular (according to the 16S rRNA sequence), antibiotic, and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) test was performed for the dominant bacteria. Analysis of the remaining glyphosate herbicide was performed by HPLC analysis after derivation with FMOC-Cl.Results: According to the results of the biochemical, antibiotic and molecular 16S rRNA tests, the native halophilic isolates with the ability to biodegrade glyphosate were gram positive cocci very similar to Salinicoccus spp. The results of HPLC showed that Salinicoccus spp is able to biodegrade glyphosate herbicide.Conclusion: The native bacteria in Qom Hoze-soltan lake, Iran can be used for biodegradation of glyphosate herbicide.

Glyphosate, Biodegradation, Salinicoccus spp