Conversion of DDT to DDD by pathogenic and saprophytic bacteria associated with plants.

Of 27 microorganisms examined, 23 plant pathogenic and saprophytic bacterial species were found to convert p,p' DDT to p,p' DDD under anaerobic conditions. The range of conversion of DDT (10 micrograms per milliliter) during an incubation of 14 days was from a trace to over 5 micrograms per milliliter, with the majority of the bacteria showing the greatest activity during the final 7-day period. There is evidence that metabolites of DDT other than DDD are also produced.