Degradation of 5-chloro-2-hydroxynicotinic acid by Mycobacterium sp. BA.

Bacteria with the ability to use 5-chloro-2-hydroxynicotinic acid as sole source of carbon and energy have been isolated from enrichment cultures with 2-hydroxynicotinic acid and 5-chloro-2-hydroxynicotinic acid. According to their morphological and physiological properties, these bacteria have been classified as Mycobacterium sp. The first metabolite in the degradation pathway is 5-chloro-2,6-dihydroxynicotinic acid. 2-Hydroxynicotinic acid had an inductive effect on the degrading enzymes. Chloride was released from 5-chloro-2-hydroxynicotinic acid, chloromaleic acid and chlorofumaric acid. A degradation pathway is proposed.