Abstract
Strain 9-003 was isolated from soil in the textile dying factory for its ability to assimilate disodium terephthalate (DT) as a carbon and energy source. Analysis of the base sequence of 16S ribosomal DNA allowed us to assign the bacterium to Rhodococcus sp., the strain reduced a total concentration of DT from 95.2 to 40.8 mM for 7 d, and showed highest degradation rate (1.0 mM/h) in pH 7.0 culture broth at 25°C, 180 rpm. Oxygen uptake experiments with the resting cells showed the biodegradation process was aerobic. HPLC analysis of the culture broth revealed there was at least one intermediate-protocatechuic acid (PC) involved the microbial degradation process. Substrate spectrum indicated strain 9-003 assimilated DT, PC and p-hydroxybenzoic acid efficiently. The degradation path way of DT was discussed and we propose that DT was metabolized aerobically by Rhodococcus sp. 9-003 via PC.
