CATABOLISM OF 2,6-DINITROPHENOL BY ALCALIGENES-EUTROPHUS JMP 134 AND JMP 222

Both Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 134 and its plasmid-free derivative Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 222 utilize 2,6-dinitrophenol as sole source of carbon, energy, and nitrogen. In the presence of ammonia resting cells of these strains release two mol of nitrite per mol of 2,6-dinitrophenol. Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 222-alpha-1D, a mutant of strain JMP 222 obtained by transposon (Tn5) mutagenesis, is able to use 2,6-dinitrophenol as nitrogen source but not as source of carbon and energy. Resting cells of this mutant liberate only one mol of nitrite per mol of 2,6-dinitrophenol. A single metabolite was detected by high-pressure liquid chromatography and identified as 2-hydroxy-5-nitropenta-2,4-dienoic acid from the mass spectrum, the H-1-, and C-13-NMR spectra. Strain JMP 222-alpha-1S, a spontaneous mutant of strain JMP 222-alpha-1D, accumulates 4-nitropyrogallol which was identified as the initial metabolite of 2,6-dinitrophenol degradation.