Insights into the toxicity and biodegradation of fipronil in contaminated environment.

Fipronil is a phenylpyrazole insecticide used in various agricultural, horticulture, and veterinary practices. Besides its wide range of applications, it also causes severe health hazards to the non-targeted organisms especially in developing countries. Fipronil showed hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, neurotoxic, and altered reproductive development and endocrine system in humans and animals. Several methods have been already introduced for the removal of toxic fipronil including physicochemical and by the implementation of microorganisms. The microbial methods of fipronil degradation are the most promising and environmentally sustainable. The remediation of fipronil from the environment is an emerging task due to its enhanced residual concentration. Herein, we discuss the bioremediation potential of microbial strains in contaminated soil and water. It is shown that fipronil can be remediated from the environment using combined ecotechnologies. This review discusses the toxicity, different physico-chemical and biological methods, and sustainable developments in fipronil-contaminated agriculture and aquatic environments.