Strains of Pseudomonas and Achromobacter spp. isolated from soil, utilized quinic acid as a sole source of carbon. Protocatechuic acid was produced as an intermediate in this oxidation. Protocatechuic acid was also produced in the course of oxidation of p-hydroxybenzoic acid by these organisms. Sequential induction experiments indicate that p-hydroxybenzoic acid is not an intermediate in quinic acid oxidation by the organisms used.