Oxidation of an organosulfur xenobiotic by microsomes from soybean cotyledons

Methiocarb, an aromatic-alkyl sulfide insecticide was enzymatically oxidized into its sulfoxide by microsomes from soybean cotyledons. No further oxidation into sulfone was detected. Distribution of the sulfoxidase activity was studied in soybean seedlings and found maximal in cotyledons. Subcellular fractionation of cotyledons homogenates indicated that the activity was almost entirely associated with the microsomal fraction. Sulfoxidation of methiocarb did not require cofactors such as NAD(P)H. Nevertheless, the sulfoxidase did not act as a peroxidase.