Metabolism of o-phthalic acid by different gram-negative and gram-positive soil bacteria

Abstract

Different bacteria, isolated from soil by the enrichment method, were able to grow on phthalic acid as carbon source. Protocatechuate was identified as intermediate in phthalate metabolism. All phthalategrown bacteria oxidized phthalate and protocatechuate rapidly without having a lag-period. Benzoic acid, terephthalic acid, protocatechuic acid, salicylic acid, di- and mono-butyl phthalate were also metabolized by some of the organisms, benzoic acid being degraded via catechol and terephthalic acid via protocatechuate as intermediate. All organisms tested cleaved protocatechuate or catechol, respectively, by the “ortho” fission, when grown on phthalate, terephthalate, or benzoate as carbon source. A characterization and tentative identification of the organisms is given.