Aryloxyphenoxy-propionate herbicides (AOPPs) are widely used to control annual and perennial grasses in broadleaf crop fields and are frequently detected as contaminants in the environment. Due to the serious environmental toxicity of AOPPs, there is considerable concern regarding their biodegradation and environmental behaviors. Microbial catabolism is considered as the most effective method for the degradation of AOPPs in the environment. This review presents an overview of the recent findings on the microbial catabolism of various AOPPs, including fluazifop-P-butyl, cyhalofop-butyl, diclofop-methyl, fenoxaprop-P-ethyl, metamifop, haloxyfop-P-methyl and quizalofop-P-ethyl. It highlights the microbial resources that are able to catabolize these AOPPs and the metabolic pathways and catabolic enzymes involved in their degradation and mineralization. Furthermore, the application of AOPPs-degrading strains to eliminate AOPPs-contaminated environments and future research hotspots in biodegradation of AOPPs by microorganisms are also discussed.
Keywords: Aryloxyphenoxy-propionates; Biodegradation; Catabolic enzyme; Degradation pathway; Microbial resource.