In vitro conversion of DDT to DDD by the intestinal microflora of the Northern anchovy, Engraulis mordax.

Abstract

THE tissues of many species of fish contain DDT and two of its derivatives, DDE and DDD. Fish which feed on plankton, such as the northern anchovy Engraulis mordax, acquire DDT residues primarily through the assimilation of food1–3. The reductive dechlorination of DDT to DDE and DDD has been demonstrated in three species of salmonid fishes: Atlantic salmon4,5, cutthroat trout6, and rainbow trout7. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether the intestinal microflora of the northern anchovy is capable of dechlorinating DDT and to elucidate the relative importance of bacteria and fungi in this process.