Microbial O-methylation of the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol-A.
Environ Sci Technol
; 42(15): 5555-61, 2008 Aug 01.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18754475
ABSTRACT
We demonstrated the O-methylation of tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) [4,4'-isopropylidenebis (2,6-dibromophenol)] to its mono- and dimethyl ether derivatives by microorganisms present in different sediments. A most probable number assay of a marsh sediment suggested that up to 10% of the total aerobic heterotrophs may be capable of O-methylation. Although TBBPA dimethyl ether is not produced in industry, it has been detected in terrestrial and aquatic sediments. Our study supports the hypothesis that TBBPA dimethyl ether is a product of microbial O-methylation. The O-methylation of TBBPA, as well as its analog, tetrachlorobisphenol-A (TCBPA), was also demonstrated in cultures of two chlorophenol-metabolizing bacteria, Mycobacterium fortuitum CG-2 and Mycobacterium chlorophenolicum PCP-1. These strains also mediated the O-methylation of 2,6-dibromophenol and 2,6-dichlorophenol, analogs of TBBPA and TCBPA, to their corresponding anisoles, but 2,6-fluorophenol was not transformed. Due to the addition of hydrophobic methyl groups, O-methylated derivatives are more lipophilic, increasing the probability of bioaccumulation in the food chain. Future research regarding the toxicological effects of the O-methylated derivatives of TBBPA is recommended and will further elucidate potential risks to environmental and human health.
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Microbiologia do Solo
/
Bifenil Polibromatos
/
Retardadores de Chama
/
Mycobacterium
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2008
Tipo de documento:
Article