The metabolism of aromatic compounds by Rhodopseudomonas palustris. A new, reductive, method of aromatic ring metabolism.

1. Rhodopseudomonas palustris grows both aerobically and photosynthetically on aromatic acids. p-Hydroxybenzoate and protocatechuate are able to support aerobic growth; these compounds are metabolized by the protocatechuate 4,5-oxygenase pathway. 2. The photoassimilation of benzoate and hydroxybenzoates and the effects of air and darkness on the photoassimilation of benzoate are described. 3. Evidence in conflict with the pathway previously proposed for the photometabolism of benzoate is discussed. 4. The photometabolism of benzoate is accomplished by a novel reductive pathway involving its reduction to cyclohex-1-ene-1-carboxylate, followed by hydration to 2-hydroxycyclohexanecarboxylate and after dehydrogenation to 2-oxocyclohexanecarboxylate further hydration results in ring-fission and the production of pimelate. 5. Attempts were made to prepare cell-free extracts capable of dissimilating benzoate.