Hydrolysis of nerve gas by squid-type diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate hydrolyzing enzyme on agarose resin.

An enzyme purified from squid nerve that hydrolyzes the cholinesterase inhibitor diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate (DFP) has now been coupled to agarose beads. A column of this agarose-DFPase hydrolyzes the nerve gas 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl methylphosphonofluoridate (Soman). Although the more inhibitory of the four diastereoisomers of Soman are hydrolyzed least rapidly, a column of sufficient length will accomplish 95 percent hydrolysis whether measured by fluoride release or loss of cholinesterase-inhibiting power. The results suggest a means for detoxifying unwanted chemical warfare agents.