Microbial uptake and accumulation of (14C Carbofuran) 1,3-dihydro-2,2-dimethyl-7 benzofuranylmethyl carbamate in twenty fungal strains isolated by miniecosystem studies

Studies have amply demonstrated that members of the microbial world vary widely in their response to pesticides and that several factors may influence the toxicity of pesticides. Similarly, the microbial tolerance of pesticides may be affected by growth conditions, physiological conditions of cells and various stress factors which might exist in natural population. The pesticides are incorporated into microorganisms by an active or passive accumulation mechanism. Most observations of pesticide accumulation within the cells were recorded with chlorinated hydrocarbons. It was found that not only live bacterial cells, but autoclaved cells also, show a similar uptake of pesticides. Since aquatic microorganisms and plankton in freshwater and marine environments are an important nutrient source for a broad spectrum of aquatic filter-feeding organisms, their accumulation of pesticides can constitute a hazardous link in the food chain to fish and higher vertebrates