The Breakdown of Phenols and Related Compounds by Bacteria

Summary: An Achromobacter strain isolated from soil grew on a mineral salt medium containing phenol or various phenol or benzoic acid derivatives as the sole source of carbon. The strain was moderately specific in its action on different classes of aromatic compounds. It did not break down unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons and their sulpho-, amino-, nitro- and halogen-derivatives, but did split phenols and carboxy-acids. This ability was limited to mono-cyclic compounds.