Studies On Microbial Degradation Of Toxic Phosphorus Esters Part 1 Detoxification Of O O Dimethyl O 2 Carbomethoxy 1 Methylvinyl Phosphate By Soil Bacteria

In an attempt to find a new method for detoxifying cholinesterase-inhibiting, organophosphorus compounds, studies were undertaken to isolate bacteria capable of degrading O, O-dimethyl-O-(2-carbomethoxy-1-methylvinyl) phosphate (Phosdrin). Degradation of the insecticide was determined by gas chromatography, while decreased toxicity was confirmed by measuring cholinesterase activity with a recording pH stat. Of the thirty cultures screened, two showed 80-90% degradation of the original 20 ppm Phosdrin in 10 days, with a corresponding decrease in toxicity. One of the cultures was isolated from soil collected on Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and the other as a laboratory contaminant. The bacteria were identified as two different strains of Bacillus megaterium. (Author).