| Abstract: | The intestinal micro-organisms of Liolophura japonica chitons converted arsenobetaine (CH3)3As+CH2COO?] to trimethylarsine oxide (CH3)3AsO] and dimethylarsinic acid (CH3)2AsOOH] in the arsenobetaine-containing 1/5 ZoBell 2216E medium under aerobic conditions, no conversion being observed in an inorganic salt medium. This conversion pattern of arsenobetaine → trimethylarsine oxide ← dimethylarsinic acid was comparable with that shown by the microorganisms associated with marine macroalgae. On the other hand, no conversion was observed in either medium under anaerobic conditions. |
