Huang_2026_J.Hazard.Mater_504_141286

The ubiquitous contamination of pyrethroid insecticides poses significant threats to environmental safety and human health. In this study, Aneurinibacillus aneurinilyticus D-21, isolated from traditional fermented food Pixian broad bean paste, was identified as an efficient degrader of beta-cyfluthrin (beta-CYF). Transcriptomic analysis under beta-CYF stress uncovered a key carboxylesterase gene est3617, which was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified enzyme Est3617, containing a canonical catalytic triad (Ser(97)-Asp(193)-His(223)), exhibited optimal activity at 45 degreesC and pH 9.0, along with broad substrate specificity and notable stability under varied temperature and pH conditions. Importantly, Est3617 demonstrated high efficacy in degrading beta-CYF residues across various environmental matrices (water, soil and sediments). Within 24 h of treatment, over 75 % of beta-CYF was degraded and its half-life was significantly reduced to 5.32-8.26 h. Moreover, when employed as a cleaning agent for fruits and vegetables, Est3617 also exhibited considerable potential for removing beta-CYF residues, achieving degradation rates of 67.02-81.35 % within 60 min among different vegetable types. These results support Est3617 as a promising and potentially safe biocatalyst, enabling a practical "from environment to food" enzymatic strategy to mitigate pyrethroid contamination.