Abstract
In order to investigate the pathway of microbial degradation of p-hydroxybenzene sulfonate (PPS), the isolation of PPS-decomposing bacteria was carried out. The most active two strains (CK and A-4) that utilized PPS for their growth in sulfate-free glucose-mineral medium were isolated from the soil and sewage. CK and A-4 were identified with Enterobacter cloacae and Bacillus subtilis respectively by their taxonomical characteristics. By Comparison of their catabolizing abilities for various sulfonates, both organisms were found to be able to utilize them as sulfur source but not as carbon source. Various auxotrophs on the main pathway of sulfate assimilation were obtained by N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine treatment of CK strain.
