OXIDATION OF METHANOL AND FORMALDEHYDE BY PSEUDOMONAS METHANICA

Abstract
A methanol-utilizing organism identified as a strain of Pseudomonas methanica was isolated. Methanol oxidation by extracts of the organism was shown to involve peroxidative oxidation of the alcohol to formaldehyde. A diphosphopyridine nucleotide dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase, specific for formaldehyde and requiring glutathione for activity, was demonstrated.