Biodegradation of di-n-butyl phthalate by an isolated Gordonia sp. strain QH-11: Genetic identification and degradation kinetics

► We report first case of Gordonia strains possess capacity to mineralize phthalic acid. ► DBP depletion curves are described well by the modified Gompertz model. ► A fragment of 894 bp of the phthalate dioxygenase gene was cloned from strain QH-11. ► The mRNA expression level of phthalate dioxygenase could be increased significantly after DBP and PA-induced.