Utilization of aromatic compounds by phototrophic purple nonsulfur bacteria

Biodegradation of aromatic compounds byRhodopseudomonas blastica andRhodospirillum rubrum appears to be lacking in the literature. The above species grew phototrophically (illuminated anaerobic conditions) on a variety of organic compounds. They were found to degrade benzoate, benzyl alcohol, 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate (Syringate) and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoate (vanillate). The ability of the above species to photocatabolize aromatic compounds indicates that these organisms may be ecologically significant as scavengers of aromatic derivatives in illuminated anaerobic habitats in nature.