Partial Characterization of the in Vivo Metabolites of DDT-C14 in Triatoma infestans1

Abstract

Triatoma infestans third-instar larvae were topically treated with DDT-C¹⁴ and Kelthane®-C¹⁴ (1,1-bis (P-chlorophenyl)- 2-2-2-trichloroethanol). After 72 hours of DDT-intoxication, 2 DDT-metabolites were detected (metabolites no. 2 and no. 3), while only 1 was found from Kelthane thane after 10 days. DDT metabolite no. 3 was characterized by paper chromatography, chemical reactions, and the UV spectrum at the microchemical range. The results obtained indicate that metabolite no. 3 corresponds to Kelthane. Although no definite identification of DDT-metabolite no. 2 and the Kelthane-metabolite was possible, the available evidence suggests that they have the same structure. It is suggested that Kelthane is the precursor of DDT-metabolite no. 2, indicating that production of DDT-polar metabolites in Triatoma infestans follows the sequence DDT → Kelthane →metabolite no. 2.