Interaction of pesticides with fresh-water algae

The blue-green algae, Anabaena oryzae and phormidium fragile were incubated with radiolabelled carbofuran (2,3-de hydro-2,2-dimethyl-7-benzofuranyl N-methyl carbamate). After filtration, the amounts of radioactivity in tissues and filtrates were analyzed for metabolic products. Of the applied radioactivity, the two algal species were capable of grading 91.4% and 92.1%, respectively. Thin layer chromatographic analysis showed that carbofuran-phenol (2,3-dihydro-7-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl benzo- furan) was the main metabolite in all fractions. 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-7-benxofuranyl methyl carbamate and 3-keto benzofuran) were also detected. The parent material accounted for only 3.2% and 0.49% of the applied dose in case of Anabaena oryzae and Phormidium fragile, respectively.2 tab