AUTHOR=Conde Avila V. , Martínez Valenzuela C. , Navarro Noya Y. E. , Bastidas Bastidas P. J. 

TITLE=Inoculation With Azotobacter vinelandii Enhanced Chlorpyrifos Degradation and Reduced Cytotoxic and Genotoxic Effects in Soil

JOURNAL=Spanish Journal of Soil Science

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/journals/spanish-journal-of-soil-science/articles/10.3389/sjss.2025.14033

DOI=10.3389/sjss.2025.14033

ISSN=2253-6574

ABSTRACT=<p>Using microbial cells for bioremediation requires evaluating suitable inoculation techniques and their effects. This study applied liquid and encapsulated in alginate beads inocula of <italic>A. vinelandii</italic> in agricultural soil to evaluate chlorpyrifos (CP) degradation and its impact on cytotoxic and genotoxic effects. <italic>Allium sativum</italic> cells and <italic>Eisenia foetida</italic> organisms were used as biomarkers for toxicological evaluations. Changes in the mitotic index and nuclear abnormalities in <italic>A. sativum</italic> cells were used for toxicity determinations. The percentage survival of <italic>E. foetida</italic> was calculated. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography was used to detect CP. The initial CP concentration (250 mg/kg) decreased by 92% when inoculated with liquid <italic>A. vinelandii</italic> and by 82% with <italic>A. vinelandii</italic> encapsulated after 14 d. A 60% decrease in cytotoxic and genotoxic damage to <italic>A. sativum</italic> cells was detected in treatments inoculated with <italic>A. vinelandii</italic>. The survival rate of <italic>E. foetida</italic> was improved by 33% when inoculated with free <italic>A. vinelandii</italic> compared to contaminated soil. Encapsulation as an inoculation strategy extended the viability of <italic>A. vinelandii</italic> compared to free inoculation. Both free and encapsulated inocula of <italic>A. vinelandii</italic> effectively degrade CP in soil and decrease its toxic effects. This study contributed by identifying sustainable agricultural alternatives for the inoculation and bioremediation of agricultural soils.</p>