The Metabolic Fate of Bentazon in the Rat

Abstract

1. An oral dose of [¹⁴C]bentazon, a new herbicide, was rapidly and almost quantitatively absorbed in rats. The radioactivity was rapidly excreted, mostly in the 24-h urine; only traces were secreted into the bile.

2. [¹⁴C]Bentazon was rapidly distributed in rats. After 1 h, levels of radioactivity were high in the stomach, liver, heart and kidneys. Radioactivity was not detected in the brain or spinal cord.

3. Urinary radioactivity accounted for at least 84% of the administered dose as unchanged bentazon.