ABSTRACT:

A novel Pseudomonas species strain VB, able to degrade 2-methoxyethanol was isolated from anaerobic sewage sludge. The bacterium utilizes 2-methoxyethanol as sole source of carbon and energy. In a time course experiment Pseudomonas sp. strain VB was grown in 2-methoxyethanol, ethylene glycol, glycollate, glyoxylate, oxalate and methanol. Strain VB was able to utilize all proposed intermediates except methanol. Comparable growth characteristics of Pseudomonas sp. strain VB grown in 2-methoxyethano and proposed intermediates showed significant molar growth yields. These results indicate that ethylene glycol, giycollate, glyoxylate and oxalate might be intermediates in the degradation pathway of 2- methoxyethanol. Thus a reaction sequence: 2-methoxyethanol --> ethylene glycol ----> glycollate --> glyoxylate