Biodegradation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in soil and food environment.

Deo, P. G. and Karanth, N. G. and Gopalakrishna, A. G. (1994) Biodegradation of hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in soil and food environment. Critical reviews in microbiology, 20 (1). pp. 57-78. ISSN 1040-841X

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Abstract

Persistence of chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides in the environment is well documented. One early introduced insecticide, hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), popularly called BHC, was used in large quantities all over the world until recently. In India, even today, technical grade HCH is being used extensively. Theoretically, HCH has eight possible stereoisomers of which four (alpha, beta, gamma, and delta) predominate in the technical product. These isomers significantly differ between themselves with respect to their persistence and toxicity toward insects, birds, mammals, and other nontarget organisms. The relative proportion of HCH isomers is, therefore, crucial from a toxicology standpoint. This problem assumes importance in light of reports that the HCH isomers undergo interconversion in soil, water, animals, plants, insects, etc. The persistence of HCH can be attributed in part to the interconversion of HCH isomers, which also restrict their solubility. In the present review, biotransformation of HCH isomers, both under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and their degradation pathways have been described. In addition, emphasis is given to the interconversion of HCH isomers, including interconversion mechanisms, as this area has not received adequate coverage in earlier reviews on HCH.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH), insecticides, isomers, degradation, biotransformation
Subjects:	500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 04 Chemistry and Allied Sciences > 26 Pesticide Chemistry 500 Natural Sciences and Mathematics > 05 Earth Sciences > 03 Environmental Sciences
Divisions:	Food Protectants and Infestation Control
Depositing User:	Food Sci. & Technol. Information Services
Date Deposited:	14 Sep 2010 05:31
Last Modified:	08 May 2012 11:18
URI:	http://ir.cftri.res.in/id/eprint/2282

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