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Survey of p ‐cresol assimilating bacteria: Characterization and identification of a p ‐cresol utilizing bacterium
Author(s) -
ElMansi E. M. T.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of applied bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.889
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1365-2672
pISSN - 0021-8847
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2672.1986.tb01094.x
Subject(s) - alcaligenes , pseudomonas , bacteria , cresol , hydroxylation , chemistry , electron acceptor , alcaligenes faecalis , stereochemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , biochemistry , phenol , organic chemistry , enzyme , genetics
A survey of 110 bacterial strains drawn from various ecosystems yielded 10 capable of growth on p ‐cresol. Of these, eight were Gram‐negative and two Gram‐positive. One Gram‐negative and both Gram‐positive strains metabolized p ‐cresol via 4‐methylcatechol, the others initiated attack by hydroxylation of the methyl group and used the protocatechuate pathway. These included Pseudomonas alcaligenes, Ps. testosteroni , four other Pseudomonas species and an unidentified organism, the crude extract of which oxidized p ‐cresol without requirement for either electron donor or acceptor, although inclusion of phenazine methosulphate stimulated activity. The conversion of p ‐cresol to p ‐hydroxybenzylalcohol catalysed by the PMS‐dependent p ‐cresol methylhydroxylase was linked to the electron transport chain with molecular oxygen acting as the ultimate electron acceptor. Successive subculturing in the absence of the aromatic substrate led to the eventual loss of the organism's ability to metabolize p ‐cresol. The organism was assigned to the genus of Alcaligenes.