Characterization of a novel cyfluthrin-degrading bacterial strain Brevibacterium aureum and its biochemical degradation pathway

► A new bacterium Brevibacterium aureum was isolated and characterized. ► It utilizes cyfluthrin as a growth substrate and degrades high concentrations. ► The bacterium was able to degrade a wide range of other pyrethroid insecticides. ► A novel degradation pathway for cyfluthrin was proposed based on the metabolites. ► The bacterium harbors the metabolic pathway for the detoxification of cyfluthrin.