PRODUCTION OF 3,4-DIHALOGENATED CATECHOLS FROM TOLUENE AND BENZOATE ANALOGS BY PSEUDOMONAS-PUTIDA STRAIN PAW1

3,4-Dichloro-, 3-bromo-4-chloro- and 3-chloro-4-bromocatechnol have been formed by co-oxidation of the respective toluenes and benzoates. Acetate, toluene and p-xylene were tested as growth substrates for Pseudomonas putida strain PaWl with respect to the suitability for good co-oxidation. The influence of various parameters such as cell density, concentration of substrate, salts and phosphate, pH value and temperature on the production of 3,4-dichlorocatechol was tested. Besides the production of 3,4-dichlorocatechol by resting cells of P. putida PaWl, equipment for the continuous formation and extraction of the product was established. © 1990 Springer-Verlag.