Elimination and detoxification of 2,4-D by Umbelopsis isabellina with the involvement of cytochrome P450

The chemical 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is used in agriculture as a herbicide. Its intensive use has an adverse effect on the environment. This study involved examining the degradation of 2,4-D compound by the filamentous fungus Umbelopsis isabellina. After 5 days of incubation, 98% of the herbicide (added at 25 mg L(−1)) was found to be removed. The elimination of 2,4-D by U. isabellina was connected with the formation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP), which resulted in a 60% decrease in the sample toxicity toward Artemia franciscana larvae. The metabolism of 2,4-D was inhibited by the addition of metyrapone, a known cytochrome P450 inhibitor. It provides evidence that cytochrome P450 system is involved in 2,4-D metabolism in U. isabellina.