Utilization of Phenols and Related Compounds by Achromobacter

THE splitting of aromatic rings by certain bacteria, particularly soil bacteria, was observed many years ago, and has been described by various authors 1 . Some of these micro-organisms were growing on media in which the only source of carbon was aromatic hydrocarbons or phenols 2 . Hitherto the mechanism of the process, as well as the range of compounds decomposed by those bacteria described, have not been investigated carefully.