Transformation of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD) by Ralstonia eutropha strain A5

Evidence is presented demonstrating the ability of Ralstonia eutropha A5 to degrade 1,1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDD) aerobically. Stra in A5 was able to effect significant transformation of [C-14]DDD: the hexan e extractable radioactivity decreased to approximately 50% of the controls while more than 25% of the total radioactivity became associated with the a cidified culture supernatant. There was also an increase in the amount of r adioactivity associated with the cell pellet when compared to the biotic co ntrol. A meta-fission pathway for the degradation of DDD is proposed based on the recovery of seven chlorinated metabolites identified by gas chromato graphy-mass spectrometry analysis. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.