The specific strain, Flavobacterium sp. BX26, was examined to decolorize br
omamine acid,which is an important intermediate for the synthesis of anthra
quinone dyes. The results showed that Flavobacterium sp. BX26 had a high ca
pacity to decolorize bromamin acid within a relatively short time. The deco
lorization was an inductive process. Flavobacterium sp. BX26 cannot use bro
mamine acid for growth, but its metabolic intermediates were. It was found
that the decolorizing process mainly took place outside the cells or the fu
nctional enzymes might be extracellular enzymes. Some factors including sal
inity, heavy metal ions, complexing agent like EDTA, and the lack of oxygen
can seriously inhibit the decolorization process.