Novel biodegradation pathways of cyclohexane by Rhodococcus sp. EC1

The metabolism of cyclohexanes by Rodococcus sp. EC1 was investigated using a sequential tracking method of degradation intermediate. Evidence for the formation of cyclohexanol, cyclohexaone, 2-cyclohexen-1-one, and phenol was presented. EC1 metabolized cyclohexane to phenol by aromatization of 2-cyclohexen-1-one, and furthermore gamma-butyrolactone as an intermediate of 2-cyclohexen-1-one was formed. Aromatization by EC1 was confirmed using tetrahydrofuran. Tetrahydrofuran was metabolized through aromatization reaction, involving furan and 2,3-dihydrofuran as key intermediates. EC1 can degrade cyclohexane and tetrahydrofuran in aromatization via desaturation.