The metabolism of di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate in the earthworm Lumbricus terrestris.
1. Earthworms can hydrolyze di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) to mono-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (MEHP) and phthalic acid (PA). 2. They apparently cannot produce the side-chain-oxidized derivatives of MEHP that constitute the major DEHP metabolites in higher animals. 3. With the assistance of intestinal bacterial Pseudomonas, the worm-derived PA is degraded through protocatechuic and beta-carboxymuconic acids to CO2. 4. There is an indication of a second pathway for degradation of PA leading through benzoic acid.
Albro
P W
PW
Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.
Corbett
J T
JT
Schroeder
J L
JL
D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002853:Chromatography, Liquid; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate / Q000378:metabolism*; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology; D009835:Oligochaeta / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D012989:Soil Pollutants / Q000378:metabolism*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012989:Soil Pollutants; D004051:Diethylhexyl Phthalate