Studies on the Utilization of Hydrocarbons by Microorganisms

TLDR: In this paper, several strains were found to produce a large amount of cumic acid from p-cymene, including S449B1, B2, B3, B4 and B6.

Abstract: During the course of an investigation of the microbial assimilation of aromatic hydrocarbons, several strains were found to produce a large amount of cumic acid from p-cymene.Five strains, S449B1, B2, B3, B4 and B6, were isolated from soil with the aromatic hydrocarbon substrates. They all assimilated both p-cymene and cumene. The strain S449B3 grew also on p-xylene, and S449B6 on p-xylene, toluene, and ethylbenzene.They were all shown to be capable of producing an ultraviolet-absorbing substance from p-cymene. This substance was isolated in crystalline form and identified as cumic acid by infrared absorption spectrum and other observations.The superior strain, S449B6, produced the acid as much as 1000 mg/1 in shaking culture at 30°C after 24 hours. The yields were increased up to approximately 1700 mg/1 after further investigations. Addition of calcium carbonate and considerable agitation were favorable conditions for the acid production.The taxonomical studies of these strains were carried out, and they...