Consistency of metabolism of aldrin and dieldrin in suspension cultures from Phaseolus vulgaris root.

Reproducibility of metabolism of aldrin and dieldrin in cell suspension cultures from Phaseolus vulgaris (French Bean) root, and effects of variations in hormonal supplementation and light, studied. Aldrin always converted to dieldrin, aldrin-transdihydrodiol, and other unidentified more polar metabolites, but not to dihydrochlordene-dicarboxylic acid. Dieldrin always converted to photodieldrin and more polar metabolites, but not to aldrin-transdihydrodiol. Metabolism reasonably consistent from one subculture to next, basically unaffected by alterations in medium tested, or by presence or absence of light. Variations observed quantitative rather than qualitative supporting validity of use of tissue culture in metabolic studies on xenobiotics. Photodieldrin shown to be a direct product of dieldrin metabolism and not the result of microbial or environmental interference.