METABOLISM OF O,P'- AND P,P'-DDT BY RUMEN MICROORGANISMS

An in vitro fermentation system which provides satisfactory values for reactions such as cellulose digestion was used to studythe fate of o,p′-and p,p′-DDT. The major product of 14C-labeled p,p′-DDT metabolism was p,p′-DDD, but about 11 % of the 14C was in an unidentified polar product associated with the microbial and substrate residues. The p,p′-DDT disappeared at the rate of 12% per hour and the products were formed at similar rates. The metabolism of, o,p′-DDT was identical with respectto rate of disappearance and amount of o,p′-DDD formed. © 1969, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved.