Benzyl alcohol, biodegradation

Another common theme is seen in the transformation of the commercially important BTEX compounds (i.e., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes). They are clustered because of their co-occurrence in environmental contamination stemming from spillage of petroleum materials. Because BTEX compounds are structurally analogous to each other, there are commonalities in their metabolism by prokaryotes. Anaerobic metabolism of BTEX compounds has been studied only more recently, and the biochemical basis of the biodegradation reactions is now being revealed. The aerobic metabolism of BTEX compounds is much better studied. For example, see O Fig. 15.3 and (http //umbbd.ahc.umn.edu/ BTEX/BTEX map.html aerobic). Almost invariably, oxygenase enzymes initiate the metabolism to produce ring cis-dihydrodiols, phenols, benzyl alcohols, and ultimately catechols. 

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