Metabolic products of PCBs in bacteria and plants - comparison of their toxicity and genotoxicity

摘要

Different systems for the measurement of ecotoxicity have been used for the estimation of the toxicity of intermediates of bacterial and plant PCB metabolism in comparison with primary polychlorinated biphenyls. Luminescent bacteria (Vibrio fischeri) and mammalian cells (keratinocytes) showed similar response reactions to the different toxicants examined. Chlorobenzoic acids (intermediates of bacterial PCB metabolism) exhibited the lowest toxicity. Products of plant metabolism (hydroxychlorobiphenyls) were the most toxic compounds; their toxicity exceeded that one of initial individual monochlorobiphenyls. Other method (Bioscreen and germination of seeds) following growth of bacteria of different species in presence of the toxicants, showed a different response of the selected model organisms based on their abilities to degrade PCBs. Ames test with Salmonella typhimurium was used for genotoxicity measurements. Chlorobenzoic acids exhibited lower toxicity then initial PCB, but in some cases still significant.