Isolation of Terrabacter sp. strain DDE-1, which metabolizes 1, 1-dichloro-2,2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene when induced with biphenyl.

Terrabacter sp. strain DDE-1, able to metabolize 1,1-dichloro-2, 2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethylene (DDE) in pure culture when induced with biphenyl, was enriched from a 1-1-1-trichloro-2, 2-bis(4-chlorophenyl)ethane residue-contaminated agricultural soil. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of culture extracts revealed a number of DDE catabolites, including 2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-3,3-dichloropropenoic acid, 2-(4'-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy acetic acid, 2-(4'-chlorophenyl) acetic acid, and 4-chlorobenzoic acid.