Mechanism of biodegradation of paraquat by Lipomyces starkeyi

Journal Article · Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5016136

Carr, R J; Bilton, R F; Atkinson, T

The biodegradation of ring-/sup 14/C- and methyl-/sup 14/C-labeled paraquat by the soil yeast Lipomyces starkeyi was studied in vitro. It was found that the degradation of paraquat (acting as a sole source of culture nitrogen) resulted in the accumulation in the extracellular medium of radiolabeled acetic acid. The culture also evolved radiolabeled CO/sub 2/. The results suggest that the degradation of paraquat by L. starkeyi is associated with the integrity of the cell wall and that disruption or removal of the wall results in a complete loss of degradative capability. A mechanism for the degradation of paraquat by this organism is postulated.

• OSTI ID: 5016136
• Journal Information: Appl. Environ. Microbiol.; (United States), Vol. 5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
HERBICIDES
BIODEGRADATION
ACETIC ACID
CARBON 14 COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CELL WALL
FUNGI
TRACER TECHNIQUES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DECOMPOSITION
ISOTOPE APPLICATIONS
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
MONOCARBOXYLIC ACIDS
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PESTICIDES
PLANTS
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques