Simultaneous degradation of β‐cypermethrin and 3‐phenoxybenzoic acid by Eurotium cristatum ET1, a novel “golden flower fungus” strain isolated from Fu Brick Tea

Beta‐cypermethrin (β‐CY) and its major metabolite 3‐phenoxybenzoic acid (3‐PBA) spread extensively in the environment because of utilization in agricultural and home formulations, exerting negative impact on environment as well as human health. Several golden flower fungi were isolated from fu brick tea, by which the biodegradation of β‐CY and 3‐PBA was evaluated, turning out strain Eurotium cristatum ET1 had the highest capacity. Furthermore, β‐CY and 3‐PBA degradation rates were positively correlated with biomass of E. cristatum ET1, and the processes of degradation fitted well with a first‐order kinetic equation. The half‐lives of β‐CY and 3‐PBA ranged from 3.382 to 11.517 days and 1.749 to 3.194 days, respectively, under different substrate concentrations, incubation temperatures, and pH values. The degraded products were analyzed using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and results showed that E. cristatum ET1 degrades β‐CY by transforming it into 3‐PBA, which is then gradually metabolized into phenol and catechol. Moreover, E. cristatum ET1 showed efficiency in degrading these metabolites. Our results suggest that this strain is a potential microorganism for bioremediation of pesticide‐contaminated environments and fermented foods.