MICROBIAL SYNTHESIS OF AGROCHEMICAL METABOLITES - REVIEW

The synthesis of agrochemical metabolite reference standards by microb ial cultures can serve as a useful alternative to conventional chemica l synthesis, particularly when the chemical synthesis is difficult, Mi crobially generated metabolites of agrochemicals can also be useful fo r predicting degradative pathways in animals, plants and soils prior t o conducting animal, plant and soil metabolism studies which are requi red by regulatory agencies to support agrochemical registrations. Exam ples from the literature are used to illustrate the utility of synthes izing metabolites of agrochemicals by common microbes.