Metabolism of dinitrotoluene isomers by Escherichia coli isolated from human intestine.

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Technical grade dinitrotoluene (DNT), an important industrial nitroaromatic compound, not only induces methemoglobinemia but is a potent hepatocarcinogen in man and rats. The purpose of the present study was to identify the metabolites produced from 5 DNT isomers (2,3- 2,4-, 2,5-, 2,6- and 3,4-DNT) by Escherichia coli strain W3110, isolated from human intestine. Data obtained from thin-layer and gas chromatographies or liquid scintillation counting indicated that the metabolites produced by the E. coli were 2 monoaminonitrotoluenes and hydroxylamino-nitrotoluenes in all cases. DNT is evidently reduced via hydroxylaminonitrotoluenes to monoaminonitrotoluenes in E. coli. The reduction reactivities of DNT isomers were 3- > 2- for 2,3-DNT, 4- > 2- for 2,4-DNT, 5- > 2- for 2,5-DNT and 3- > 4- for 3,4-DNT. The role of bacterial reduction in the toxic actions of DNT is discussed.