Lactiplantibacillus plantarum as a sustainable solution for monocrotophos degradation and plant growth enhancement

In the present study, characterization of bacterial isolate from fermented foods based on the morphology, biochemical, and molecular analysis identified Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. The bacterium was tested for its ability to degrade monocrotophos (MCP) at a concentration of 1000 ppm. The dephosphorylation potential of this bacterial enzyme against organophosphate substrates including MCP was analyzed. The Lactiplantibacillus plantarum phosphatase showed optimal activity at 40 °C and 6 pH. The Michaelis–Menten constant was found to be 238.14 µM while Vmax is 357.14 µmol/min.ml for MCP as a substrate. The enzyme activity was enhanced by metal ions such as Mn²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺ and inhibited by K⁺, Zn²⁺, and Fe²⁺ ions. Plant growth promotion assays of Lp. plantarum exhibited characteristic traits including phosphate solubilization, cellulase, catalase, and xylanase activities. The degradation of MCP was confirmed based on the presence of acetamide and trimethyl phosphate as intermediate metabolites, confirmed by FTIR and GC–MS analysis. Thus, L. plantarum is a suitable candidate for phosphate solubilization, plant growth promotion, and bio-fertilizer application.