AMINOCARB        JMPR 1978

    IDENTITY

    Chemical name

         4-dimethylamino-m-tolyl methylcarbamate

    Structural formula

         CH 3 -NH-C00

    EVALUATION FOR ACCEPTABLE DAILY INTAKE

    BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS

    Biodegradation

         A review of the biodegradation of aminocarb has suggested that
    the data on the in vivo metabolic fate has not been fully
    investigated (Kuhr and Dorough, 1976). The metabolic fate of aminocarb
    in animals, plants and insects has been investigated and based on
    in vitro data from an extensive base and some available in vivo
    studies, the following sequence of metabolism can be proposed. (This
    is based on data from Krishna and Casida, 1966; Oonnithan and Casida,
    1966; 1968; and Strother, 1970; 1972).

    

    TOXICOLOGICAL EVALUATION

         The data available was insufficient and no acceptable daily
    intake for man has been established.

    RESIDUES IN FOOD AND THEIR EVALUATION

         The limited information which was available is summarized in the
    following appraisal.

    APPRAISAL

         Aminocarb is a non-systemic carbamate insecticide used mainly
    against many lepidopterous larvae and other biting insects. It also
    has some acaricidal and molluscicidal activity.

         Aminocarb is available as 50% and 75% water-soluble powders and
    is applied as 0.075 - 1.0%, solutions to fruits and vegetables. Use in
    forestry against the budworm is becoming important and could become
    the main use for aminocarb in the future.

         Surface residues of aminocarb are readily changed to less
    volatile products by photolyt: modification of the 4-dimethylamino
    group. In the bean plant, the major metabolic product
    4-methylamino-m-tolyl methylcarbamate. The other degradation
    products so far identified are 4-formamido-m-tolyl methylcarbamate,
    4-methylformamido-m-tolyl methylcarbamate and 4-amido-m-tolyl
    methylcarbamate. Glycosides are subsequently formed. Horseradish
    peroxidase attacked aminocarb quite rapidly but the tyrosinase system
    did not degrade it to any extent.

         Aminocarb is not persistent in soil.

         Two methods of analysis, both apparently suitable for regulatory
    purposes, are available. A GLC procedure has been described for
    aminocarb in forest foliage and soil using the nitrogen-specific
    electrical conductivity detector. The procedure still has to be
    validated for fruit and vegetables. High-pressure liquid
    chromatography with UV detection has also been applied to the analysis
    of cabbage, corn, potatoes and wheat with satisfactory detection
    limits and reproducibility.

    EVALUATION

         The data available were insufficient to establish an ADI or
    residue limits.

    FURTHER WORK OR INFORMATION

    Required (before an ADI or residue limits can be established)

    1.   Further data on toxicology and the occurrence of residues.

    Desirable

    1.   Data from countries on use patterns and on residues from
         supervised trials on which to base residue limits.

    2.   Studies on the fate of residues in animals.

    REFERENCES

    Kuhr, R.J. and H.W. Dorough Carbamate Insecticides: Chemistry,
    (1976)         Biochemistry and Toxicology. CRC Press, Cleveland,
                   Ohio, pg. 175-177.

    Krishna, J.G. and J.E. Casida, Fate in Rats of the Radiocarbon from
    (1966)         Ten Variously Labelled Methyl and Dimethycarbamate-14C
                   Insecticide Chemicals and Their Hydrolysis Products.
                   J. Agr. Food Chem. 14:98.

    Oonnithan, E.S. and J.E. Casida Metabolites of Methyl and
    (1966)         Dimethylcarbamate Insecticide Chemicals as Formed by
                   Rat Liver Microsomes. Bull. Env. Contam. Toxicol.
                   1:59.

    Oonnithan, E.S. and J.E. Casida Oxidation of Methyl and
    (1968)         Dimethylcarbamate Insecticide Chemicals by Microsomal
                   Enzymes and Anticholinesterase Activity of the
                   Metabolites. J. Agr. Food Chem. 16:28.

    Strother, A. Comparative Metabolism of Selected N-Methyl Carbamates
    (1970)         by Human and Rat Liver Fractions. Biochem. Pharmacol.
                   19:2525.

    Strother, A. In Vitro Metabolism of Methylcarbamate Insecticides by
                   Human and Rat Liver Fractions.  Toxicol. Appl.
                   Pharmacol. 21:112.
    

    See Also:
       Toxicological Abbreviations
       Aminocarb (ICSC)
       Aminocarb (Pesticide residues in food: 1979 evaluations)