In vivo utilization of N-(phosphonomethyl)-anilines and related substances by Pseudomonas spec. GS.

Utilization of various phosphonates as source for phosphorus by the glyphosate degrading strain Pseudomonas spec. GS was investigated. Metabolites of phosphonate degradation were characterized indicating the cleavage of the C-P-bound as primary step of breakdown. The phosphonate N-(phosphonomethyl)-4'-nitroazobenzene-4-amine (azophon) was characterized as a suitable substrate for detection of C-P-bond splitting activity in vivo. Pseudomonas cells permeabilized by toluene treatment were also capable of phosphonate degradation whereas no in vitro activity of a putative C-P-bond cleaving enzyme was detectable after cell disruption.