On the basis of degradation properties of Phanerochaete chroysosporium ME 446 found in white-rot fungi in respect of many organic compounds with toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic characteristics, the physiological conditions effective for the degradation of heptachlor (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8-heptachloro-3a, 4, 7, 7a-tetrahydro-4, 7-methanoindene), an organic chlorine used in insecticides Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME were determined. | Tr. J. of Biology 22 (1998) 427-434 © TÜBİTAK Biodegradation of Heptachlor by Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME 446: The Toxic Effects of Heptachlor and Its Metabolites on Mice Münevver ARISOY Department of Basic Health Science, Faculty of Health Education, University of Ankara, Keçiören, Ankara-TURKEY Nazif KOLANKAYA Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University Beytepe, Ankara-TURKEY Received: Abstract: On the basis of degradation properties of Phanerochaete chroysosporium ME 446 found in white-rot fungi in respect of many organic compounds with toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic characteristics, the physiological conditions effective for the degradation of heptachlor (1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 8heptachloro-3a, 4, 7, 7a-tetrahydro-4, 7-methanoindene), an organic chlorine used in insecticides Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME were determined. The potential toxic effects of heptachlor and metabolites on mice were also investigated. For the degradation of heptachlor, the optimum pH was found to be 5, incubation period 20 days, and incubation temperature, 30o C-35o C, while the optimum concentrations was 50 µM. The maximum heptachlor degradation rate under optimum physiological conditions was found to be . The LD dose of heptachlor was determined, and its effects on cells in the blood of mice were inves50 tigated. The LD50 dose was found to be mg/kg for heptachlor. Although this dose normally produces a death rate of 50% in mice, the resultant metabolites obtained through Phanerocheate chrysosporium ME 446 treatment caused no deaths. While direct application of heptachlor produced quantitive effects in the blood cells, no significant effects of heptachlor metabolites could be detected. Key Words: Biodegradation, Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME 446, heptachlor. Heptaklor’un Phanerochaete chrysosporium ME 446 ile Biyolojik Yıkımı: Heptaklor ve Metabolitlerinin Fareler Üzerine Toksik Etkisi Özet: Beyaz çürükçül funguslar içinde yer alan .
