Open AccessDegradation of terephthalic acid by a Bacillus species
Author(s) -
Karegoudar T.B.,
Pujar B.G.
Publication year - 1985
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1985.tb01015.x
Subject(s) - terephthalic acid , degradation (telecommunications) , bacteria , strain (injury) , chemistry , bacillus (shape) , enzyme , carbon fibers , biodegradation , microbiology and biotechnology , polyester , biochemistry , organic chemistry , biology , materials science , telecommunications , anatomy , composite number , computer science , composite material , genetics
A Gram‐positive bacterium with the ability to utilize terephthalic acid as sole carbon source was isolated from soil. The strain was identified as a Bacillus sp. Protocatechuate was shown to be a key intermediate in the degradation of terephthalate. Oxygen uptake studies were carried out with the probable intermediates. The presence of different enzymes was tested for. A mechanism is proposed for the degradation of terephthalate.