Biodegradation of carbendazim by a novel actinobacterium Rhodococcus jialingiae djl-6-2

A novel actinobacterial strain Rhodococcus jialingiae djl-6-2 capable of using carbendazim (MBC) as the sole carbon and nitrogen source for growth was used to investigate its metabolism pathway of MBC. The HPLC and MS/MS analysis showed that MBC was hydrolyzed to 2-aminobenzimidazole (2-AB) and then converted to benzimidazole or 2-hydroxybenzimidazole (2-HB). The conversion of 2-AB was inhibited by NH4NO3. The benzene ring of 2-HB was further opened through meta (extradiol) catechol cleavage. The inoculation of strain djl-6-2 to MBC-contaminated soil resulted in a higher degradation rate than noninoculated soil, which indicated the potential of strain djl-6-2 in bioremediation of MBC polluted soil.