Detoxification of reactive intermediates during microbial metabolism of halogenated compounds

The reactivity and toxicity of metabolic intermediates that are generated b y initial biotransformation reactions can be a major limiting factor for bi odegradation of halogenated organic compounds. Recent work on the conversio n of haloalkanes, chloroaromatics and chloroethenes indicates that microorg anisms may become less sensitive to toxic effects either by using novel pat hways that circumvent the generation of reactive intermediates or by produc ing modified enzymes that decrease the toxicity of such compounds.