Bacterial Enzymes-Potential Applications (or Personnel/Casualty Decontamination Against G, V, and HD Chemical Agents

摘要

Since World War II, a diverse number of neurotoxic organophosphate compounds (OPs) have been synthesized for use as agricultural pesticides or chemical warfare agents (CWA). Over the years, a large number of phosphotriesters, phosphothiol esters, and phosphorothioates (such as parathion, diazinon, and malathion) have been used to control insects and animal pests. Some of the phosphofluoridates and phosphothioates (such as soman, sarin, and VX) are extremely toxic cholinergic inhibitors, and have been stockpiled as CWA. The CWA are broadly classified into G-type (sarin, tabun, and soman) and the V-type (VX and Russian VX). The G-agents are sometimes mixed with thickening agents that results in increased environmental persistence. The V-agents are much more persistent in nature and are known to be some of the most toxic synthetic chemicals. The respiratory inhalation or dermal absorption of various OP neurotoxins in dosages ranging from 5-100 mg can kill a human within minutes. The principal toxic effect of OPs is exerted on the central and parasympathetic nervous system via inhibition of B-esterases, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity.