Induction of enzymes involved in phthalate esters metabolism in Nocardia erythropolis and enzymatic hydrolysis of phthalate esters by commercial lipases.

The formation of enzymes, such as ester-degrading enzyme that hydrolyzes phthalate esters, phthalate oxygenase and protocatechuate 3, 4-dioxygenase, that are involved in phthalate ester metabolism, appeared to be inducible in Nocardia erythropolis capable of rapidly degrad ing phthalate esters.Esterase hydrolyzing phthalate ester was induced by phthalate ester, and phthalate and protocatechuate oxidizing activities were also induced in medium con taining phthalate ester and former intermediate of phthalate ester degradation besides direct substrates, such as phthalate and protocatechuate, respectively.That is, the formation of enzymes in the metabolic pathway of phthalate ester appeared to be successively induced by former intermediates.Phthalate esters were degraded by hydrolysis of ester-bonds to free phthalic acid in and out of cells of N. erythropolis, and then was metabolized in the cells.The first step enzyme was also induced by olive oil, as well as phthalate ester.Furthermore, di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP) was hydrolyzed by various kinds of commercial liapses and esterases.