Degradation of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene by Pseudomonas chlororaphis RW71

The aerobic mineralization of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene by a pure culture of Pseudomonas chlororaphis RW71 was demonstrated. The reaction produced stoichiometric amounts of chloride. The transient excretion of tetrachlorocatechol in the early growth phase suggested an initial attack by a dioxygenase to form the corresponding dihydrodiol which rearomatizes to the catechol. Extraordinarily high activity was found in chlorocatechol 1,2-dioxygenase in crude cell extracts.