Tobacco BY-2 cells in suspension culture absorbed and transformed bisphenol A dissolved in the culture medium. Major products were bisphenol A mono-O-beta D-gentiobioside and the trisaccharide bisphenol A mono-O-P-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 4)-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 --> 6)] P-D-glucopyranoside. Also produced were the mono- and di- O-beta-D-glueopyranosides. As glycosides of bisphenol A lack the estrogenic activity of the parent compound, these findings enhance the possibilities of phytoremediation of natural waters contaminated by bisphenol A. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.