Metabolism of n-Alkylcyclohexanes with an even number of carbon atoms in the side chain by Micrococcus sp. RCO-4M

Abstract

The metabolism of n-alkyleyclohexanes with an even number of carbon atoms (6, 8, 10, 12, 14) in the side chain by Micrococcus sp. RCO-4M was investigated. Evidence for the formation of cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (I), cyclohexaneacetic acid (II), 1-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid (III), 6-hydroxyhexanoic acid (IV), adipic acid (V), and trans-4-hydroxycyclohexaneacetic acid (VI) is presented. The presence of products (II), (IV) and (V) especially represent the complete degradation of n-alkylcyclohexanes with an even number of carbon atoms in the side chain by a single organism. The occurrence of a newly-identified product (VI) suggests that a new metabolic pathway for n-alkylcyclohexanes with even-carbon-number side chain operates in this organism.