Rhodococcus spp. utilize taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonate) as sole source of carbon, energy, nitrogen and sulfur for aerobic respiratory growth

The organosulfur compound taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonate), but no other su lfonates tested, served as the sole carbon, sulfur and energy source for th e growth of eight Rhodococcus strains examined, taurine's nitrogen was util ized as well. Several sulfonates that were not used as sole sources of carb on, sulfur and energy were nevertheless able to serve as the sole sulfur so urce for growth when succinate or acetate were carbon and energy sources. T aurine consumption resulted in release of sulfite and ammonium ion into gro wth medium. Taurine utilization appeared to be an inducible trail. The sulf onate utilization ability appears to be a heretofore unrecognized trait of rhodococci. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved .