Metabolism of n-alkyl-substituted cyclohexanes with an odd number of carbon atoms in the side chain by Micrococcus sp. RCO-4M

Abstract

The metabolism of n-alkyl-substituted cyclohexanes ( n-ACH) with an odd number of carbon atoms (7, 9, 11) in the side chain by Micrococcus sp. RCO-4M was investigated. Evidence for the formation of cyclohexanecarboxylic acid (C 6CA), 1-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid (1-ene-C 6CA), and trans-4-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylic acid ( t-4-OH-C 6CA) is presented. A large amount of C 6CA, 1-ene-C 6CA and the small quantity of t-4-OH-C 6CA were accumulated in culture broth. It is suggested that Micrococcus sp. RCO-4M metabolized n-ACH with an odd number of carbon atoms in the side chain to C 6CA by beta-oxidation of the side chain and furthermore degraded C 6CA by two pathways involving 1-ene-C 6CA and t-4-OH-C 6CA as key intermediates.