Biodegradation and metabolic pathway of quinalphos by Cunninghamella elegans ATCC36112

Quinalphos is a long-term, wide-spectrum organophosphate insecticide with residual problems in the natural environment. Cunninghamella elegans ( C. elegans ) is a member of Mucoromycotina. Since the degradation products of its exogenous compounds are similar to those of mammals, it is often used to simulate the metabolism pathways of mammals. In this study, the detailed metabolic pathways of quinalphos were investigated with C. elegans . Quinalphos was degraded by 92% in 7 days, while ten metabolites were produced. The metabolites were analyzed and identified by GC–MS. To determine the responsible enzymes in quinalphos metabolism, piperonyl butoxide (PB) and methimazole included in the culture flasks, and the kinetic responses of quinalphos and its metabolites by C. elegans were measured. Results indirectly demonstrated that cytochrome P450 monooxygenases were involved in the metabolism of quinalphos, but that methimazole inhibited the metabolism less efficiently. Comprehensive metabolic pathways can be deduced from the detailed analysis of metabolite profiles in control and inhibitor assays.