Catabolism of 4-alkylphenols by Acinetobacter sp. OP5: Genetic organization of the oph gene cluster and characterization of alkylcatechol 2, 3-dioxygenase

► An effective technique to detect the estrogen-like alkylphenol degradation gene cluster was first reported. ► The first study of the genes and enzyme in the degradation of octylphenol from Acinetobacter sp. ► Evidence of the aromatic ring cleavage of 4-t-alkylcatechol is demonstrated for the first time.