Metabolism of Hydrocaffeic Acid by Arthrobacter sp.

Metabolism of hydrocaffeic acid (H-Caf) by Arthrobacter sp. was investigated. H-Caf oxidizing enzyme system was induced by hydro-p-coumaric, hydrocaffeic, hydroferulic acids, but not by hydro-o-coumaric, hydrocinnamic and indole-3-propionic acids. H-Cal was not readily oxidized by the cells cultured in caproate or butyrate media. Therefore, the oxidation of H-Cal may be catalysed by an enzyme system which is different from the system involved in the oxidation of aliphatic fatty acids. H-Caf seems to be metabolized via caffeic acid into protocatechuic acid.