Genetic Analysis of sp.86 Reveals Involvement of Corrinoids in Chlordecone and Lindane Biotransformations.

Chlordecone (Kepone®) and γ-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH or lindane) have been used for decades in the French West Indies (FWI) resulting in long-term soil and water pollution. In a previous work, we have identified a new species (sp.86) that is able to transform chlordecone into numerous products under anaerobic conditions.

Transformation of the recalcitrant pesticide chlordecone by Desulfovibrio sp.86 with a switch from ring-opening dechlorination to reductive sulfidation activity.

The insecticide chlordecone has been used in the French West Indies for decades, resulting in long term pollution, human health problems and social crisis. In addition to bacterial consortia and Citrobacter sp.86 previously described to transform chlordecone into three families of transformation products (A: hydrochlordecones, B: polychloroindenes and C: polychloroindenecarboxylic acids), another bacterium Desulfovibrio sp.

Microbial Degradation of a Recalcitrant Pesticide: Chlordecone.

Chlordecone (Kepone®) is a synthetic organochlorine insecticide (CClO) used worldwide mostly during the 1970 and 1980s. Its intensive application in the French West Indies to control the banana black weevil led to a massive environmental pollution. Persistence of chlordecone in soils and water for numerous decades even centuries causes global public health and socio-economic concerns.