Biodegradation of Pesticides in Brazil and Other Tropical Countries: Experimental and In Silico Studies

Biodegradation is the most effective tool to attenuate pesticide contamination in soil; as a process that may also improve soil health and prevent contamination of water resources, it consequently averts threats to human and animal health. However, many factors influence the process, mainly the presence of microorganisms and certain enzymes that catalyze the reduction of pesticide molecules. Climate also impacts biological degradation due to its effects on microbiological activity and the solubility of compounds. Given that Brazil is one of the largest consumers of pesticides in the world, the study of pesticide biodegradation in such tropical zones is very important. Current research on this subject involves both laboratory experiments (i.e., isolation of biodegrading microorganisms) and in silico investigations (i.e., taxonomic and functional metagenomics and bioinformatics approaches with applications in metabolic pathways). This chapter provides an overview of how such research is conducted in the field of biodegradation, including a review of research taking place in Brazil and other tropical zones on the biodegradation of three widely used pesticides in Brazil: atrazine, fipronil, and glyphosate.