Metabolism of Di- and Mono- n -Butyl Phthalate by Soil Bacteria

Abstract
Di- n -butyl phthalate and other dialkyl phthalates are used as carbon sources by three Nocardia sp. isolates; mono- n -butyl phthalate is used as a carbon source by an Arthrobacter sp. isolate and a Pseudomonas sp. isolate. The compounds were metabolized in these organisms by hydrolysis to the corresponding monoesters and free phthalic acid. Phthalic acid was then metabolized via protocatechuic acid by 3,4-dioxygenative ring cleavage.