Transformation of 1-Menthene by a Cladosporium: Accumulation of β-Isopropyl Glutaric Acid in the Growth Medium

An organism isolated from soil samples collected near a terpene plant grew in the presence of 1-menthene, with no other major source of carbon and energy. The organism was tentatively identified as a member of the genus Cladosporium. When this organism was grown in the presence of 1-menthene, with no other major source of carbon, substantial quantities of β-isopropyl glutaric acid accumulated in the fermentation medium. β-Isopropyl glutaric acid is probably an end product of the degradation of 1-menthene by the organism.