Metabolism of the Organophosphorus Insecticide Tetrachlorvinphos in Mice

• Published in: Journal of Pesticide Science Vol. 8; no. 3; pp. 347 - 351
• Main Authors: Salah. M. A. D. ZAYED, FAKHR, I. M. I., HEGAZI, Bahira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo Pesticide Science Society of Japan 1983; Japan Science and Technology Agency
• ISSN: 1348-589X; 1349-0923
• DOI: 10.1584/jpestics.8.347

Metabolism and organ distribution in mice has been investigated following intraperitoneal injection of the insecticide [methyl-14C] Gardona (tetrachlorvinphos). During the first 24hr, about 40% of the applied dose was eliminated in the expired air and urine. The 14CO2 accounted for 14% of the administered dose. Three acidic 14C-metabolites in the urine were isolated and identified as monomethyl phosphate, dimethyl phosphate and desmethylgardona. Gardona is mainly metabolized by cleavage of the P-OCH3 bond followed by hydrolysis at the vinyl-ester bond to give monomethyl phosphate. Minor pathways involve initial attack at the P-O-vinyl ester bond to yield dimethyl phosphate and oxidative cleavage of O-methyl group to yield formate via formaldehyde. The 2-chloro-1-(2, 4, 5-trichlorophenyl) vinyl moiety is excreted in the urine in different modifications. The contribution of the P-O-methyl cleavage to detoxification of the insecticide has been discussed.