TRANSFORMATION OF PYRIDINECARBOXYLIC ACIDS AND THEIR DERIVATIVES BY BACTERIA

Rhodococcus opacus VCM As-1333D and Pseudomonas fluorescens PfE 1, whi ch utilize pyridine and naphthalene as growth substrates, were found t o be capable of hydroxylating the esters of pyridinecarboxylic acids t o isomeric 2- and 6-hydroxyderivatives. In distinction to bacteria of the genus Rhodococcus, the studied Ps. fluorescens strain oxidizes the nitrogen atom of some derivatives of pyridinecarboxylic acids with a 60% yield of the respective N-oxides. Species of the genus Arthrobacte r though capable of degrading alkylpyridines are unable to transform t hem.