Microbial metabolism of cyclic hydrocarbons and related compounds.

Abstract

The utilization of alicyclic hydrocarbons by microorganisms will be reviewed as well as substituted and unsubstituted cyclic hydrocarbons. The topics discussed include: the enzymes involved in biodegradation of cycloparaffins and probable intemediates involved in the metabolism of cycloparaffinic hydrocarbons; the role of cooxidation in the utilization of cycloalkanes as well as the accumulation of intermediates of cycloalkane metabolism via this technique; the oxidase (hydroxylase) involved in cycloalkane biodegradation; the aromatization of the cycloalkane ring in the aerobic degradation of cyclohexane and the reduction of benzoate in anaerobic metabolism of heterotrophs and photosynthetic bacteria; the incorporation of cycloalkanes with n-alkyl side chains into cellular lipids; and the biodegradation of terpenes and related compounds by microorganisms.