Isolation of a bacterial strain with the ability to utilize the sulfonated azo compound 4-carboxy-4'-sulfoazobenzene as the sole source of carbon and energy

Abstract

A bacterial strain (strain S5) which grows aerobically with the sulfonated azo compound 4-carboxy-4'-sulfoazobenzene as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated. This strain was obtained by continuous adaptation of 'Hydrogenophaga palleronii' S1 which has the ability to grow aerobically with 4-aminobenzenesulfonate. Strain S5 probably cleaves 4- carboxy-4'-sulfoazobenzene reductively under aerobic conditions to 4- aminobenzoate and 4-aminobenzene-sulfonate, which are mineralized by previously established degradation pathways.