The Decomposition of 4-(2,4-Dichlorophenoxy) butyric Acid by Flavobacterium sp.

A Flavobacterium sp. isolated from soil and grown in media containing 4-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy) butyric acid (4-(2,4-DB)) metabolized 2,4-dichloro-phenol and 4-chlorocatechol without a preliminary period of induction. The initial oxidation of 4-(2,4-DB) was rapid, but the rate declined to a value equivalent to that observed for butyric and crotonic acid oxidation. The bacterium produced 2,4-dichlorophenol, 4-chlorocatechol and butyric and crotonic acids when grown in the presence of 4-(2,4-DB). It is proposed that the initial step in 4-(2,4-DB) oxidation involves a cleavage of the ether linkage rather than β-oxidation of the aliphatic moiety.