Abstract

Corynebacterium sp was isolated from the soil by using 3-5 dinitro benzoic acid (DNB) as a sole carbon source. The highest rate of degradation of aniline (AN) or DNB was found in the exponential phase of the growth of the bacterium. After 24 h, about 50% of DNB and 30% of AN were degraded by Corynebacterium sp. At a concentration of 0.5 to 1 g/L of AN or DNB, good growth was obtained and the protocatechuic acid was detected. The optimum concentration of yeast extract was 2 g/l. Catechol 1-2 dioxygenase was induced in the cells grown on a medium containing AN or DNB. A significant activity of this enzyme was detected, which means that ortho cleavage pathway may be present inCorynebacterium sp.

Key words: Corynebacterium sp., degradation, dinitrobenzoic acid (DNB), aniline (AN),protocatechuic acid, catechol, catechol 1-2 dioxygenase, Ortho cleavage, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).