Metabolism of m-tert.-butylphenyl N-methylcarbamate in insects and mice |
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Authors: | P. G. C. Douch and J. N. Smith |
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Affiliation: | Department of Biochemistry, Victoria University of Wellington, P.O. Box 196, Wellington, New Zealand |
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Abstract: | The metabolism of m-tert.-butylphenyl N-methylcarbamate was studied in mice and five species of insects. Both the tert.-butyl group and the N-methyl group were hydroxylated. The major phenolic metabolite was m-(beta-hydroxy-tert.-butyl)phenol, which was identified by mass spectroscopy. Significant amounts of dihydroxy compounds were formed at a constant rate from the start of the enzymic oxidation process. The considerable species variation in the yields of the different types of oxidation products suggests that N-demethylation and oxidation of the tert.-butyl groups were catalysed by different enzymes. A microsomal NADPH-dependent enzyme also catalysed the splitting of the ester link in the insecticide. |
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