Hydroxylation and further oxidation of delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol by alkane-degrading bacteria

The role of microorganisms in the biotransformation of psychoactive substances and its forensic relevance: a critical interdisciplinary review

Microorganisms are widespread on the planet being able to adapt, persist, and grow in diverse environments, either rich in nutrient sources or under harsh conditions. The comprehension of the interaction between microorganisms and drugs is relevant for forensic toxicology and forensic chemistry, elucidating potential pathways of microbial metabolism and their implications. Considering the described scenario, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive and critical review of the state of the art of interactions amongst microorganisms and common drugs of abuse. Additionally, other drugs of forensic interest are briefly discussed. This paper outlines the importance of this area of investigation, covering the intersections between forensic microbiology, forensic chemistry, and forensic toxicology applied to drugs of abuse, and it also highlights research potentialities.

Key points

Microorganisms are widespread on the planet and grow in a myriad of environments.Microorganisms can often be found in matrices of forensic interest.Drugs can be metabolized or produced (e.g. ethanol) by microorganisms.

Metabolic and Dynamic Profiling for Risk Assessment of Fluopyram, a Typical Phenylamide Fungicide Widely Applied in Vegetable Ecosystem

Fluopyram, a typical phenylamide fungicide, was widely applied to protect fruit vegetables from fungal pathogens-responsible yield loss. Highly linked to the ecological and dietary risks, its residual and metabolic profiles in the fruit vegetable ecosystem still remained obscure. Here, an approach using modified QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction combined with GC-MS/MS analysis was developed to investigate fluopyram fate in the typical fruit vegetables including tomato, cucumber, pepper under the greenhouse environment. Fluopyram dissipated in accordance with the first-order rate dynamics equation with the maximum half-life of 5.7 d. Cleveage of fluopyram into 2-trifluoromethyl benzamide and subsequent formation of 3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl) pyridine-2-acetic acid and 3-chloro-5-(trifluoromethyl) picolinic acid was elucidated to be its ubiquitous metabolic pathway. Moreover, the incurrence of fluopyram at the pre-harvest interval (PHI) of 7-21 d was between 0.0108 and 0.1603 mg/kg, and the Hazard Quotients (HQs) were calculated to be less than 1, indicating temporary safety on consumption of the fruit vegetables incurred with fluopyram, irrespective of the uncertain toxicity of the metabolites. Taken together, our findings reveal the residual essential of fluopyram in the typical agricultural ecosystem, and would advance the further insight into ecological risk posed by this fungicide associated with its metabolites.

Genetic manipulation tools for Dietzia spp

AIM

To develop an applicable vector system and a transformation method for the manipulation of Dietzia spp.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The pNV18 Nocardia-E. coli shuttle vector was tested and found to be a replicating plasmid in Dietzia sp. E1. With the use of pNV18, an electroporation method was optimized for the transformation of Dietzia sp. E1, and a transformation efficiency suitable for genetic manipulations was achieved (2·18×10(4) transformants μg(-1) DNA). The method was also applied for the transformation of Dietzia cinnamea, D. maris, D. natronolimnaea and D. psychralcaliphila.

CONCLUSIONS

The first applicable vectors and a simple electroporation protocol enabling the manipulation of several Dietzia spp. are presented.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Dietzia spp. have clinical, industrial and great environmental importance; however, the analysis of the Dietzia genus is currently hampered by the lack of manipulation techniques. The presented basic tools allow the genetic analysis of several Dietzia species, including the human disease-associated Dietzia maris.