It was found that a number of unformulated organic biocides showed a susceptibility to degradation by proteobacteria. Exposure of tebuconazole, a candidate biocide, chlorothalonil and IPBC to a Ralstonia strain was found to result in biocide detoxification, as demonstrated through HPLC and a bioassay. Exposure of the biocides to a previously identified extracellular factor was also found to result in detoxification, and it was concluded that a common bacterial mechanism exists by which organic biocides are degraded, and that the factor represents part of this system. This is a significant observation. As we become more reliant on organic formulations, there is a growing need for research to be conducted to stabilise the biocides in ligno, thereby paving the way for the next generation of environmentally benign wood preservatives.

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