| Abstract: | The aromatic fraction from crude oil has a substantial solubility in water and as a result makes up the major hydrocarbon components of processed ballast water.1,2 The purpose of this study was to investigate the metabolism of several of the major components of this processed water by Chinook salmon, Oncorynchus tschawytscha, liver microsomes. The metabolic products of toluene and ethylbenzene in this microsomal system, as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, were benzyl alcohol and 1-phenylethanol, respectively. The conditions for the microsomal incubations were 20°C, pH 7·5, and an ionic strength of 0·126. A linear rate of benzyl alcohol and 1-phenylethanol formation is observed during the first 30 to 60 min followed by a decrease in the rate between 60 and 90 min. |
