Metabolism of dichloromethylcatechols as central intermediates in the degradation of dichlorotoluenes by Ralstonia sp. strain PS12

Results indicate that drawbacks in the degradation of dichlororinatedtoluenes is due to the unspecific attack of tetrachlorobenzene dioxygenase leading to the production of dichlorobenzaldehydes or dichlorobenzoates. The metabolic fates of the dichloromethylcatechol intermediates in the total metabolism of dichlorotoluenes are discussed.