Pseudomonas fluorescens KKL101, a Benzoic Acid Degrader in a Mixed Culture That Degrades Biphenyl and Polychlorinated Biphenyls

A mixed culture we had isolated, which degrades biphenyl/polychlorinated biphenyls, is composed of two strains, Pseudomonas fluorescens KKL101 and Pseudomonas sp. strain KKS102. KKS102 produces benzoic acid as a dead-end metabolite in the degradation of biphenyl. In this study we showed that KKL101 grew on benzoic acid as a sole source of carbon. This indicated a role of KKS102 in the growth of KKL101 and of KKL101 for the growth of KKS102 in the mixed culture.