Decarboxylative Conversion of Hydroxycinnamic Acids by Klebsiella oxytoca and Erwinia uredovora, Epiphytic Bacteria of Polymnia sonchifolia Leaf, Possibly Associated with Formation of Microflora on the Damaged Leaves

Abstract

Two bacteria, Klebsiella oxytoca and Erwinia uredovora, which constituted epiphytic microflora on yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia) leaves, converted hydroxycinnamic acids into hydroxystyrenes decarboxylatively. Hydroxycinnamate decarboxylase was extracted as crude protein from the bacterial cells, and was substrate-inducible. This decarboxylation was for the bacteria a detoxification of hydroxycinnamic acids of plants, but the metabolites were toxic to other test bacteria and fungi, including some phytopathogens. The possible ecological role of these epiphytic bacteria on the host-plant was discussed from the viewpoint of their chemical interaction via the styrene derivatives.