Microbiological and Chemical Transformations of Nitroguanidine

Abstract : Nitroguanidine was cometabolized under reducing conditions to nitrosoguanidine after acclimation. No further microbial reduction occurred (no aminoguanidine, hydrazine, or urea were detected in culture extracts). Nitrosoguanidine decomposed nonbiologically and formed cyanamide, cyanoguanidine, melamine and guanidine. All products were identified by TLC and GC/MS. A pathway for the degradation of nitroguanidine is proposed. No ammeline, ammelide or cyanuric acid were detected. Nitroguanidine and nitrosoguanidine were sensitive to UV light.