Abstract

A Pseudomonas sp. strain DJ-12 isolated by 4-cholrobiphenyl enrichment culture technique is capable of utilizing 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as a sole source of carbon and energy. The bacterium catabolized 4-hydroxybenzoic acid through the intermediate formation of protocatechuic acid, which was further metabolized. The cell free extracts of pseudomonas sp. DJ-12, grown on 4-hydroxybenzoic acid showed higher activities of 4-hydroxyenzoate 3-hydroxylase and protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase, but the activity of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase was lower. The results suggest that 4-hydroxybenzoic acid is catabolized via protocatechuic acid rather than catechol or gentisic acid in this bacterium and that the protocatechuic acid formed was metabolized through a metacleavage pathway by protocatechuate 4,5-dioxygenase.

• Keywords: Catabolism; 40hydroxybenzoic acid; protocatechuic acid; protocatechuate 4;5-dioxygenase; Pseudomonas sp. DJ-12