Biodegradation and Analytical Methods for Detection of Organophosphorous Pesticide: Chlorpyrifos

Chlorpyrifos is a broad spectrum moderately toxic organophosphorous insecticide. It is widely used in agriculture for pest control and in households as a termicide. However, exposure to chlorpyrifos and its metabolites can affect the public health resulting from its long residual periods in soil and water. Thus, there is an essential need to develop sensitive method for the detection of chlorpyrifos in environmental samples. Emerging technologies like development of biosensor has gained enormous attention in this area. Apart from detection, worldwide efforts are going on to develop efficient and cost effective methods for its degradation. Chlorpyrifos previously shown to be immune to biodegradation has now been proved to undergo enhanced microbe mediated decay into less harmful and non-toxic metabolites. Now-a-days, research activity in this area has shown that a diverse range of microorganisms are responsible for chlorpyrifos degradation. This article therefore aims at giving an overview of the present status of research in analytical detection and biodegradation of chlorpyrifos.