Co-metabolism as a factor in microbial degradation of cycloparaffinic hydrocarbons

Abstract

All attempts to isolate microoganisms from soil that utilize unsubstituted cycloparaffinic hydrocarbons, e.g. cyclohexane, as sole source of carbon and energy have been unsuccessful. However, cyclohexane was degraded in fertile soil as measured by release of 14C-carbon dioxide on addition of UL-14C-cyclohexane. Hydrocarbon utilizing organisms isolated from the soil grew rapidly on cycloalkanones. Several cultures, after growth on propane, could oxidize cycloparaffins to the homologous cycloalkanone. These results suggest that degradation of cycloalkanes in nature may be via co-metabolism. © 1973 Springer-Verlag.