Maize plants (Zea mays) root exudates enhance lindane removal by native Streptomyces strains

The organochlorine pesticide (OP) lindane was removed from minimal medium (MM) by two Streptomyces native strains, while growing on maize root exudates (REs) as a primary carbon and energy source. REs supported 55 and 35% of lindane removal by Streptomyces sp. strains A5 and M7, respectively, corroborating the hypothesis that co-metabolism may be a plant/microbe interaction important to bioremediation. In addition, residual lindane concentration was more than half of the amount in MM supplemented with glucose compared to MM supplemented with REs, suggesting that exudates could be more appropriate carbon source to support aerobic dehalogenation of the pesticide. Lindane-degrading activity was detected in REs, which could explain 42% of lindane removal in REs-lindane assay, without microorganisms. Because Streptomyces sp. A5 showed maximum biomass and the highest pesticide removal in REs-lindane assay, it was found to be the most promising strain regarding their future application. These results showed that phytostimulation of OP-degrading actinobacteria by maize REs are therefore likely to be a successful strategy for the remediation of lindane-contaminated environments.

► We propose phytostimulation as method to remove lindane from the environment.
► Maize root exudates markedly enhance lindane removal by Streptomyces strains.
► Exudates may be an appropriate carbon source to support dehalogenation of lindane.
► Lindane-degrading activity in maize root exudates may induce contaminant degradation.
► Co-metabolism may be a plant/actinobacteria interaction important for bioremediation.