Biotransformation of 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol by the whole soybean (Glycine max L. Merrill) seedlings.

Fluorotelomer alcohols (FTOHs) are important precursors of perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) in the environment and biota. With the growing application of 6:2 FTOH [F(CF 2) 6 CH 2 CH 2 OH] in product formulation, it is becoming increasingly urgent to investigate its biological fates in different species. In this study, biotransformation of 6:2 FTOH by young soybean plants (Glycine max L. Merrill) were investigated using hydroponic experiments. During the 144 h-exposure, 6:2 FTCA [F(CF 2) 6 CH 2 COOH], 6:2 FTUCA [F(CF 2) 5 CF CHCOOH], 5:3 FTUCA [F(CF 2) 5 CH CHCOOH], 5:3 FTCA [F(CF 2) 5 CH 2 CH 2 COOH], PFHxA [F(CF 2) 5 COOH] and PFPeA [F(CF 2) 4 COOH] were phase I metabolites in soybean. At the end of exposure, 5:3 FTCA (5.08 mol%), PFHxA (2.34 mol%) and PFPeA (0.58 mol%) were three main metabolites in soybean-solution system. 5:3 FTCA was predominant in soybean roots and stems, while PFHxA was the most abundant product in leaves. PFBA [F(CF 2) 3 COOH] and 4:3 FTCA [F(CF 2) 4 CH 2 CH 2 COOH] detected in the hydroponic solution most-likely came from the transformation of 5:3 FTCA by root-associated microbes. Moreover, phase II metabolites of 6:2 FTOH were identified and monitored in soybean tissues. Alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase and glutathione S-transferase were found to participate in 6:2 FTOH metabolism. Based on the phase I and phase II metabolism of 6:2 FTOH in soybean, this study for the first time provides evidences for the transformation pathways of 6:2 FTOH in plants. Image 1 • 6:2 FTOH could be taken up, translocated and biotransformed by soybean seedlings. • 5:3 FTCA, PFHxA and PFHpA were main phase I metabolites in soybean. • Phase II metabolites of GSH conjugates were identified in soybean. • The enzymes of ALDH, ADH and GST took part in 6:2 FTOH metabolism in soybean. • The transformation pathways of 6:2 FTOH in plants was proposed for the first time. Phase I and phase II metabolites of 6:2 FTOH and some enzymic activities in soybean were analyzed, and possible biotransformation pathways were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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