Metabolism of benzo[a]pyrene in cell suspension cultures of parsley (Petroselinum hortense, Hoffm.) and soybean (Glycine max L.).

Cell suspension cultures of parsley and soybean were incubated for 38 h with (14)C-labeled benzo[a]pyrene; autoclaved cultures were used as controls. Metabolites were isolated by a sequential extraction procedure and further studied by chromatography or by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The soluble metabolites amounted to 1-2.2% in the case of parsley cells, and 19-28% in the case of soybean cells. These metabolites varied in polarity, some being soluble in organic solvent or aqueous buffer while other metabolite fractions were soluble only in hot aqueous sodium dodecylsulphate. In addition, a significant amount of an insoluble metabolite fraction was isolated from the culture fluid as well as the cellular material of soybean suspension cultures.