Abstract
In an attempt to obtain bacteria growing on 1,2-dimethylbenzene as sole carbon and energy source two different strains were isolated. One was identified as an Arthrobacter strain, the other as a Corynebacterium strain. Corynebacterium strain C125 was further investigated. The organism was not capable to grow on 1,3- and 1,4-dimethylbenzene. cis-1,2-Dihydroxycyclohexa-3,5-diene oxidoreductase and 3,4-dimethylcatechol-2,3-dioxygenase activity was found in cell extracts. When 3,4-dimethylcatechol was added to cell extract of 1,2-dimethylbenzene-grown cells, first a compound with the spectral properties of 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-6-oxo-2,4-heptadienoate was formed and subsequently acetate was produced. It is proposed that dioxygenases are involved in the initial steps of 1,2-dimethylbenzene degradation, and ring opening proceeds via meta-cleavage.
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Schraa, G., Bethe, B.M., Van Neerven, A.R.W. et al. Degradation 1,2-dimethylbenzene by Corynebacterium strain C125. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek 53, 159–170 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393844
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00393844