In vitro Degradation of DDT by Intestinal Contents of Atlantic Salmon ( Salmo salar )

• Published in: Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
• Main Authors: Cherrington, A. D., Paim, U., Page, O. T.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1969
• Subjects: General Medicine; Atlantic salmon; Salmo salar
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/f69-005; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/f69-005

Fresh mid- and hind-gut contents of young, hatchery-reared Atlantic salmon degraded p,p′-DDT to p,p′-TDE in vitro. Most of the ability to degrade DDT, attributable to intestinal microflora, was eliminated by streptomycin and by heat-sterilization of the gut contents. Since TDE is less toxic than DDT, the activity of intestinal microorganisms may increase the chances of survival of fish that ingest DDT-contaminated prey.