Enzymatic Dehalogenation of Alpha-HCH in Pseudomonas Ptm + Strain.

Pseudomonas Ptm -l- isolate grew solely on noninsecticidal a-HCH. Analysis of
the culture filtrate showed dehalogenated metabolites.'Microtitre plate' method
developed by the authors enabled the detection of the chloride ions from HCH
released during the growth of the culture. Incubation of the dialysed culture
jiJtrate with HCH liberated chloride ions which were proportional to the
concentration of added HCH. Release of chloride ions from a-HCH was an
enzyme-mediated reaction. Kinetic studies using dialysed culture filtrate as the
source of crude enzyme revealed high affinity of HCH to the enzyme. TLC,
CC, and speClrophotometric studies indicated pentachlorocyclohexene and
trichlorophenol as the metabolites formed during the reaction.