Microbial Degradation of 1,6- and 2,6-Naphthalenedisulfonic Acid by Pseudomonas sp. DS-1

Abstract

A Pseudomonas strain capable of utilizing 1,6- and 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid as sole sources of carbon was isolated from soil. Sulfonate was released from 1,6- and 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid into the culture medium. When the cells were incubated with 1,6- or 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid in the incubation medium containing m-sulfobenzoic acid as a metabolic inhibitor, 5-sulfosalicylic acid was accumulated in the medium. The bacterium degraded 5-sulfosalicylic acid and gentisic acid. These results suggest that the bacterium assimilates 1,6- and 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid via 5-sulfosalicylic acid.