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Metabolism of aromatic hydrocarbons by yeasts

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Abstract

Six yeasts were examined for their ability to metabolize naphthalene, biphenyl and benzo(a)pyrene. All of the organisms tested oxidized these aromatic hydrocarbons. Candida lipolytica oxidized naphthalene to 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol, 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone and trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene. The major metabolite was 1-naphthol. C. lipolytica oxidized biphenyl to produce 2-, 3-, and 4-hydroxybiphenyl, 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybiphenyl. 4-Hydroxybiphenyl was the predominant metabolite formed. C. lipolytica oxidized benzo(a)pyrene to 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene and 9-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene. Metabolites were isolated and identified by absorption spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry and thin-layer, gasliquid and high-pressure liquid chromatography. Where possible the structures of these metabolites were confirmed by comparison with authenic compounds.

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Abbreviations

tlc:

thin-layer chromatography

hplc:

high pressure liquid chromatography and

GC/MS:

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

TMS:

Trimethylsilyl

YNBG:

yeast nitrogen base glucose

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Cerniglia, C.E., Crow, S.A. Metabolism of aromatic hydrocarbons by yeasts. Arch. Microbiol. 129, 9–13 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00417170

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