Styrene Catabolism by a Strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens.

A strain of Pseudomonas fluorescens, capable of growing on styrene as the sole C source was isolated from enrichment cultures. From the Pseudomonas cultures supplied with styrene, phenylacetic and o-hydroxyphenylacetic acids were isolated and identified, o-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid was also isolated from the cultures supplied with phenylacetate. Homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase is induced in the cells grown either on styrene or phenylacetate or o-hydroxyphenylacetate. A pathway for styrene metabolism through the intermediary formation of phenylacetate and o-hydroxyphenylacetate which is further oxidized via homogentisate is suggested and discussed.