Detoxification of Phosdrin (Trade Name) by 'Bacillus megaterium' Enzymes

摘要

An enzyme system that detoxifies the insecticide Phosdrin in vitro has been isolated from a strain of Bacillus megaterium. Cell-free extracts from this organism degrade the insecticide to nontoxic products as shown by bioassay, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and gas chromatography. The isolation procedure of the enzyme is simple and is amenable to large-scale preparation. Purification involves ultracentrifugation and salt fractionation steps. Preliminary evidence indicates that the enzyme is somewhat heat stable and, thus, offers an additional method for purification. Detoxification reactions occur at neutral pH and apparently are not dependent upon an exogenous energy source. (Author)