Bacterial p-Hydroxybenzoate Hydroxylase

Screening for p-hydroxybenzoate-utilizing pseudomonads was carried out. Species belonging to Fluorescent group could grow at the expense of p-hydroxybenzoate as sole carbon source. Two species in Chromogenic group and three species in Achromogenic group could grow in the same manner. Specic and total activities of crude extracts differed from each other strain under cultural conditions employed. Ps. desmolytica IAM 1123 and Ps. desmolytica 4-B were selected as superior strains for the sources of p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase. The type and the activity of protocatechuate oxygenase were also investigated. Protocatechuate 3,4-oxygenase was found in the cells belonging to Fluorescent and Chromogenic groups whereas 4,5-oxygenase was found in Achromogenic group.