Transformation of the herbicides propanil and chlorpropham by micro-algae

Two species of green algae and four of blue-green algae hydrolysed the acylanilide herbicide propanil to the aniline derivative, 3,4-dichloroaniline. Of the cultures tested, only the blue-green alga Anacystis nidulans was shown to be capable of converting the phenylcarbamate herbicides propham and chlorpropham to the corresponding anilines. The green alga Ulothrix fimbriata was apparently unable to hydrolyse propanil or chlorpropham.