Biodegradation of phenol and p-cresol by the hyphomycete Scedosporium apiospermum.

A hyphomycete with the ability to utilize phenol and p-cresol as carbon and energy source was isolated from soil and subsequently identified as Scedesporium apiospermum. The identification of degradation metabolites and the detection of the corresponding catabolic enzymes in crude extracts enabled us to propose different pathways for the degradation of both phenol and p-cresol in this organism. Generally, the catabolism proceeded via three different dihydroxylated intermediates (catechol, hydroxyhydroquinone and protocatechuate) which were intradiolically cleaved by the corresponding inducible dioxygenases and further catabolized via the 3-oxoadipate pathway.