Conversion of arsenobetaine by intestinal bacteria of a mollusc Liolophura japonica chitons

Abstract
The intestinal micro‐organisms of Liolophura japonica chitons converted arsenobetaine [(CH3)3As+CH2COO] to trimethylarsine oxide [(CH3)3AsO] and dimethylarsinic acid [(CH3)2AsOOH] in the arsenobetaine‐containing 1/5 ZoBell 2216E medium under aerobic conditions, no conversion being observed in an inorganic salt medium. This conversion pattern of arsenobetaine → trimethylarsine oxide ← dimethylarsinic acid was comparable with that shown by the microorganisms associated with marine macroalgae. On the other hand, no conversion was observed in either medium under anaerobic conditions.