Metabolism of dibenzo-p-dioxin by Sphingomonas sp. strain RW1

A bacterium, identified asSphigomonas sp. strain RW1, with the ability to mineralize dibenzo-para-dioxins(DD) and dibenzofuran (DF), was isolated from enrichment cultures inoculated with water samples from the river Elbe. The proposed pathway for degradation ofthe biaryl ethers begins with ring cleavage of the substrate at the angular position adjacent to the ether bridge. The resulting 2,2',3-trihyroxy compoundsare meta cleaved, with the resulting catechol undergoing both ortho and meta cleavage.