Comparative Biochemistry, Biodegradability and Toxicity of DDT and Carbofuran Analogues.

摘要

The aquatic persistence,toxicity,and biodegradability of DDT,methoxychlor,and 28analogues were evaluated using the green sunfish Lepomis cyanellus. Study of DDT analogues with degradophores located in aryl or alkyl moieties of the DDT-type molecule showed that the toxicity to and persistence of these compounds in the green sunfish is correlated with the environmental temperature of exposure and ability of multi-function oxidase enzymes of the fish to attack specific chemical groupings on various parts of the molecule. The green sunfish can readily oxidize alkyl and methylthio groups of the aryl portion of the molecule to water partitioning moieties but alkoxy groups are not as readily attacked. Persistent and highly insecticidal DDT molecules can be developed which have greatly reduced toxicity to fish. The biochemical role of the multi-function oxidase enzymes in biodegradation of pesticides in the green sunfish was explored in detail.