Complete degradation of Yperite, a chemical warfare agent, by basidiomycetes

Hiroyuki Wariishi, Noriyuki Itoh, Michiko Yoshida, Hiroo Tanaka

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The complete degradation of Yperite (bis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide), a chemical warfare agent, was achieved by two basidiomycetous cultures. Two distinct metabolic pathways were detected in each fungus during degradation of Yperite. The major path involved a non-enzymatic hydrolysis to generate thiodiglycol. In the minor path, the sulfide bond was cleaved prior to the hydrolytic dechlorination reaction, yielding chloroethanol and chloromercaptoethane, both of which were then metabolized completely.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)501-505
Number of pages5
JournalBiotechnology letters
Volume24
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2002

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Biotechnology
  • Bioengineering
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

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