Mechanism of Navitan Fast Blue S5R degradation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The mechanism by which Pseudomonas aeruginosa degraded Navitan Fast Blue S5R was studied using TLC, FTIR, HPLC and GC-MS analysis. Degradation started with the reduction of azo bonds producing metanilic acid and peri acid whose presence was confirmed by HPLC. Aniline, the desulfonated product from metanilic acid and salicylic acid could also be detected by HPLC. GC-MS analysis of the degradation products confirmed the presence of aniline and revealed the presence of beta-ketoadipic acid. Based on these products a probable pathway has been proposed for the degradation of Navitan Fast Blue S5R by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.