Summary
Four compounds formed as the results of parathion degradation byChlorella pyrenoidosa proteose were identified or partly characterized in these studies. The major parathion metabolite, aminoparathion, was shown by bioassay to be nontoxic to vinegar flies at the levels tested. Evidence is presented that aminoparathion is released rapidly from algal cells after this compound is formed from parathion. Metabolites of unknown chemical structure which were detected were partially characterized as follows:
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Metabolite 1
- contains sulfur and phenyl ring, strong cholinesterase inhibitor.
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Metabolite 2
- contains sulfur, lacks phenyl ring, not a cholinesterase inhibitor at levels tested.
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Metabolite 3
- contains phenyl ring but not sulfur, a strong cholinesterase inhibitor. Probably an oxon of parathion.
The findings herein support previous conclusions that biotic forces, rather than abiotic factors, are of greater importance to the degradation of parathion under natural conditions extant in a temperate climate.
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This study was supported by Public Health Service research grant No. CC-00267 from the National Communicable Disease Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
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Zuckerman, B.M., Deubert, K., Mackiewicz, M. et al. Studies on the biodegradation of parathion. Plant Soil 33, 273–281 (1970). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01378220
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01378220