Studies on Microbial Degradation of Toxic Phosphorus Esters. Part 1. Detoxification of O, O-Dimethyl-O-(2-carbomethoxy-1-methylvinyl) Phosphate by Soil Bacteria

Download or read book Studies on Microbial Degradation of Toxic Phosphorus Esters. Part 1. Detoxification of O, O-Dimethyl-O-(2-carbomethoxy-1-methylvinyl) Phosphate by Soil Bacteria written by B. C. Wolverton and published by . This book was released on 1969 with total page 19 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In an attempt to find a new method for detoxifying cholinesterase-inhibiting, organophosphorus compounds, studies were undertaken to isolate bacteria capable of degrading O, O-dimethyl-O-(2-carbomethoxy-1-methylvinyl) phosphate (Phosdrin). Degradation of the insecticide was determined by gas chromatography, while decreased toxicity was confirmed by measuring cholinesterase activity with a recording pH stat. Of the thirty cultures screened, two showed 80-90% degradation of the original 20 ppm Phosdrin in 10 days, with a corresponding decrease in toxicity. One of the cultures was isolated from soil collected on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and the other as a laboratory contaminant. The bacteria were identified as two different strains of Bacillus megaterium. (Author).