Most siderophores are catabolism resistant because of their non-peptid
ic or cyclic peptide chemical structures. Siderophore degradation is t
hus a rare event, and one which has received little attention. Based o
n literature precedence and the generation of monohydroxamic acid(s) b
y cell-free extracts of a deferrioxamine B degrading bacterium, a cata
bolic scheme of the siderophore is proposed. Data are also presented c
oncerning parameters such as the pH profile, inducible nature of the s
iderophore-degrading metabolism and the ability of the deferrioxamine
B degrading bacterium to metabolize some of the hypothesized products
of deferrioxamine B dissimilation.