xenobiotic degradation pentachlorophenol degradation MetaCyc:PCPDEG-PWY Degradation of pentachlorophenol (PCP), a chlorinated insecticide and fungicide. It is used primarily to protect timber from fungal rot and wood boring insects. PCP is significantly toxic to mammals, plants, and many microorganisms. Despite this, bacteria have been identified that are resistant to relatively high PCP concentrations and can metabolize it to carbon dioxide and chloride. Bacteria have been used successfully in PCP bioremediation. pathway UPa:UPA00691 PCP degradation GO:0019338