Degradation of lindane by cell-free preparations of Clostridium sphenoides

Cell-free preparation of Clostridium sphenoides degraded the insecticide lindane, the gamma-isomer of 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexachlorocyclohexane, to the gamma-isomer of 3,4,5,6-tetrachloro-1-cyclohexene. The activity appeared to be associated with the membrane fraction and required reduced glutathione. The tetrachlorocy-clohexene intermediate was further metabolized by the membrane fraction to unknown substances.