Comparative biodegradation of alkyl halide insecticides by the white rot fungus, Phanerochaete chrysosporium (BKM-F-1767)

The ability of Phanerochaete chrysosporium to degrade six alkyl halide insecticides (aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor, chlordane, lindane, and mirex) in liquid and soil-corncob matrices was compared by using {sup 14}C-labeled compounds. Of these, only ({sup 14}C)lindane and ({sup 14}C)chlordane underwent extensive biodegradation, as evidenced by the fact that 9.4 to 23.4% of these compounds were degraded to {sup 14}CO{sub 2} in 30 days in liquid cultures and 60 days in soil-corncob cultures inoculated with P. chrysosporium. Although ({sup 14}C)aldrin, ({sup 14}C)dieldrin, ({sup 14}C)heptachlor, and (14D)mirex were poorly mineralized, substantial bioconversion occurred, as determined by substrate disappearance and metabolite formation. Nonbiological disappearance was observed only with chlordane and heptachlor.