Toxicity of chlorobenzene on Pseudomonas sp. strain RHO1, a chlorobenzene-degrading strain

Pseudomonas sp. strain RHO1 able to use chloro- and 1,4-dichlorobenzene as growth substrates was tested towards sensitivity against chlorobenzene. Concentrations of chlorobenzene higher than 3.5 mM were found to be toxic to cells independent of pregrowth with chlorobenzene or nutrient broth. Below this concentration, sensitivity towards chlorobenzene depended on the precultivation of the cells, i.e. type of growth substrate (chlorobenzene or nutrient broth) and the concentration of chlorobenzene as the growth substrate. Cells grown in continuous culture were especially sensitive with a threshold concentration of 2.5 mM chlorobenzene. In addition to chlorobenzene, metabolites also seem to function as toxic compounds. 2-Chlorophenol and 3-chlorocatechol were isolated from cell extracts. Cleavage of 3-chlorocatechol by catechol 1,2-dioxygenase seems to be the critical step in the metabolism of chlorobenzene.