The biodegradation of some anionic detergents in the rat. A common metabolic pathway.

1. The metabolism of the anionic detergents potassium decyl [35S]sulphate and potassium octadecyl [35S]sulphate was investigated in the rat. 2. The major route for elimination of radioactivity was urinary regardless of the route of administration. 3. Both surfactants were extensively degraded in vivo to yield a common metabolite, butyric acid 4-[35S]sulphate, the major urinary radioactive component. 4. Whole-body radioautography revealed the liver as the major site of cellular accumulation of radioactivity following administration of either compound indicating the liver as the major site of metabolism. 5. It is suggested that alkyl sulphates with even-numbered carbons are degraded by a common pathway involving omega-oxidation followed by beta-oxidation.