Microbial Degradation and Assimilation of n -Alkyl-Substituted Cycloparaffins

Abstract

Studies were conducted on the oxidation and assimilation of n -alkyl-substituted cycloalkane substrates by several hydrocarbon-utilizing microorganisms. These microorganisms utilized heptadecylcyclohexane and dodecylcyclohexane as the sole source of carbon and energy. Neither methylcyclohexane nor ethylcyclohexane was utilized as a growth substrate by any organisms tested. Gas-liquid chromatographic analyses of fatty acids present in cells after growth on dodecylcyclohexane confirm direct incorporation of both alpha- and beta-oxidation products. Growth patterns of these organisms on n -alkyl-substituted cyclohexane fatty acids of varying chain lengths suggest a greater probability of ring cleavage when the side chain contains an odd number of carbons.