Open AccessMetabolism of phenols by Ochromonas danica
Author(s) -
Semple Kirk T.,
Cain Ronald B.
Publication year - 1995
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.1574-6968.1995.tb07893.x
Subject(s) - phenol , phenols , catabolism , chemistry , organic chemistry , biodegradation , metabolism , cresol , biochemistry , biotransformation , chromatography , enzyme
This study investigated the catabolic potential of a eukaryotic alga to degrade one of the most common organic pollutants, phenol. The alga, Ochromonas danica (993/28), was selected for study after screening for its heterotrophic capabilities. The catabolic versatility of the alga was elucidated by incubating with a variety of phenolic compounds. The alga removed phenol, all the cresol isomers and 3,4‐xylenol from its incubation media, with phenol being removed more rapidly than any of its methylated homologues. Consequently, the alga was found to have a greater specificity for phenol than for o ‐ or p ‐cresols. This study shows that O. danica could catabolize phenol and its methylated homologues.