Chapter 1 Diversity of Microbial Toluene Degradation Pathways

• Published in: Advances in Applied Microbiology Vol. 64; pp. 1 - 73
• Main Authors: Parales, R.E., Parales, J.V., Pelletier, D.A., Ditty, J.L.
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Science & Technology 2008
• ISBN: 9780123743381; 0123743389
• ISSN: 0065-2164
• DOI: 10.1016/S0065-2164(08)00401-2

Toluene is found naturally in petroleum and coal, and is a major component of gasoline. It is also produced by the burning of organic materials and has been detected in cigarette smoke. Toluene is also produced industrially for use as a solvent and in the production of various chemicals. In addition, toluene is produced and emitted by plants. Toluene is also produced industrially for use as a solvent and in the production of various chemicals. The chapter highlights the fact that toluene is produced and emitted by plants. Some bacteria use a dioxygenase to catalyze the formation of a cis-dihydrodiol product, which is then subjected to dehydrogenation to form 3-methylcatechol. Other bacteria have monooxygenases that catalyze the initial hydroxylation at the ortho, meta, or para position of toluene, which is then followed by a second hydroxylation by the same or a different hydroxylase to form catecholic products.