ABSTRACT
Two polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon degrading Mycobacterium spp., strains LB307T and GJ3P, were able to completely degrade the azaarens 5,6-benzoquinoline, 7,8-benzoquinoline and phenanthridine, under aerobic conditions. However, inhibitory effects related to substrate concentration were observed. During degradation metabolites built up transiently. Results suggest that the metabolite produced during 5,6-benzoquinoline degradation is 2-oxo-5,6-benzoquinoline. This is the first report on bacterial degradation of phenanthrene-analogue azaarens.
