Dechlorination and spectral changes associated with bacterial degradation of 2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid

Summary The bacterial degradation of mecoprop (2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy)propionic acid) was studied using a mixed culture under aerobic conditions. The release of chlorine from mecoprop indicated incomplete degradation (75%), which did not proceed to completion upon extended incubation. The UV absorbance initially increased and this was associated with spectral distortion of the shoulder and trough regions and a slight shift in the maximum wavelength of absorption. GC-MS analysis indicated that 4-chloro-2-methylphenol was an intermediate in the degradative pathway of mecoprop. The GC-MS data also suggested the formation of other phenolic compounds with repositioned chloro-and methylgroups.