Biodegradation of pp'DDT by Pleurotus sajor-caju, Toxic Effects of pp'DDT and its Metabolites on Mice

Authors: Münevver ARISOY, Nazif KOLANKAYA, Abbas Yousefi RAD

Abstract: The physiological conditions that cause the degradation of pp'DDT [para-para'1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-(p-chlorophenyl ethane] by Pleurotus sajor-caju, a white-rot fungus, were determined. pp'DDT, which has mutagenic and carcinogenic features, a in chlorinated insecticide. The possible toxic effects of this substance and metabolites on mice were also investigated. For the degradation of pp'DDT, the optimum pH was found to be 5, the incubation period 20 days, and the incubation temperature 30¼C, while the concentration was determined to be 75µM. The optimum physiological conditions being provided, maximum degradation rate was found to be 99.94% for pp'DDT. Following the identification of the LD50 dose of this substance, its effects on cells in the blood of mice were investigated in toxicological evaluations. The LD50 dose was found to be 92.50 mg/kg. for pp2DDT. While concentration of substance normally causes death in mice at a rate of 50%, under the same physiological conditons, the resultant metabolites made available after the applications of fungus cause no death in mice. On the other hand, taking the control group as base, it was observed that when pp'DDT is applied directly, there were quantitative effects on the blood cells, while no differential effects of metabolites were seen.

Keywords: Biodegradation, pp'DDT, Pleurotus sajor-caju.