Isolation of a Bacterial Strain with the Ability To Utilize the Sulfonated Azo Compound 4-Carboxy-4′-Sulfoazobenzene as the Sole Source of Carbon and Energy

A bacterial strain (strain S5) which grows aerobically with the sulfonated azo compound 4-carboxy-4′-sulfoazobenzene as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated. This strain was obtained by continuous adaptation of “Hydrogenophaga palleronii” S1, which has the ability to grow aerobically with 4-aminobenzenesulfonate. Strain S5 probably cleaves 4-carboxy-4′-sulfoazobenzene reductively under aerobic conditions to 4-aminobenzoate and 4-aminobenzene-sulfonate, which are mineralized by previously established degradation pathways.