Abstract

Pseudomonas sp. NGK1, isolated by naphthalene enrichment culture technique, is capable of degrading anthracene as a sole source of carbon and energy. The organism degraded anthracene through the intermediate formation of 1,2-dihydroxyanthracene, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid, salicylate, and catechol. The intermediates were isolated and characterized by TLC, spectrophotometry, and HPLC analysis. The cell free extract of anthracene-grown cells showed activities of anthracene dioxygenase, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthylaldehyde dehydrogenae, 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate hydroxylase, salicylate hydroxylase and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase. The formed catechol as a metabolite is degraded through meta-cleavage with the formation of α-hydroxymuconic semi-aldehyde.

• Keywords: Pseudomonas; anthracene; degradation; metabolism