CHARACTERIZATION OF A RHODOCOCCUS SPECIES THAT UTILIZES NUMEROUS AROMATICS

Rhodococcus species were isolated from oil-soaked soil in Newfoundland and found to utilize numerous aromatic compounds as sources of carbon and energy. This Gram-positive bacterium exhibited rod-cocci dimorphi sm during its growth cycle. Cell wall chemical composition (amino acid s, sugars and fatty acids) was determined using gas chromatography-mas s spectrometry and high pressure liquid chromatography. Comparison of both acid production and growth substrates showed complete homology wi th Rhodococcus erythropolis No. 4277. A numerical taxonomic approach c lustered the isolates with the genus Rhodococcus. Tentatively we have identified the aromatic-degrading isolates as Rhodococcus species.