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01-09-2008 | Original Article

In vitro study of bacterial degradation of ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulphate

Authors: Stefanie Baranowski, Annerose Serr, Annette Thierauf, Wolfgang Weinmann, Markus Groβe Perdekamp, Friedrich M. Wurst, Claudia C. Halter

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 5/2008

Abstract

Recent studies show that ethyl glucuronide (EtG) can be decomposed by bacteria; whilst so far no degradation of ethyl sulphate (EtS) has been observed. In the present study, in vitro experiments with bacterial colonies were performed. Bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridium sordellii) were isolated from autopsy material (liver, heart blood, urine, ascites, pericardial fluid, pleural fluid) tested for β-glucuronidase activity, and three bacterial strains were added to nutrient-deficient medium containing EtG and/or EtS and incubated at 36 ± 1°C. Samples were taken after various intervals up to 11 days, and EtG and EtS were determined by electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). EtG was degraded by E. coli and C. sordellii—complete degradation occurred in the range of 3–4 days—and these bacteria exhibited β-glucuronidase activity. EtS was not affected within 11 days of incubation.

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Title: In vitro study of bacterial degradation of ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulphate
Authors: Stefanie Baranowski
Annerose Serr
Annette Thierauf
Wolfgang Weinmann
Markus Groβe Perdekamp
Friedrich M. Wurst
Claudia C. Halter
Publication date: 01-09-2008
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 5/2008
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-008-0229-3

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In vitro study of bacterial degradation of ethyl glucuronide and ethyl sulphate

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