Accumulation of Iron-binding Phenolic Acids by Actinomycetales and Other Organisms Related to the Mycobacteria

SUMMARY: After growth of representatives of eight genera in the order Actinomycetales and two others related taxonomically to Mycobacterium under iron-deficient conditions, the following compounds were found in the media: salicylic and phenylacetic acids, but no mycobactin, with Thermoactinomyces vulgaris; 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid with Corynebacterium equi, Mycococcus sp., Nocardia opaca and Streptosporangium rubrum; a conjugate of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid were also found with S. rubrum. Unidentified compounds giving a positive reaction to FeCl3 were found after growth of Dactylosporangium thailandensis and Propionibacterium shermanii. No iron-binding compounds were detected with Actinoplanes phillippinensis, Micromonospora sp. and Streptomyces albus.