Growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa LP5 on 2, 5-dicchlorobenzoate: Detection of aromatic ring hydroxylating dioxygenase (ARHDO) gene

Pseudomonas aeruginosa LP5 grew on 2, 5-dichlorobenzoate with doubling time (D) 6.64 d and mean growth rate (k) 0.104 d-1. The organism showed a prolonged lag period lasting 9 days followed by a sudden rise within 3 days (D= 1.1 d; k= 0.628 d-1) and death in less than 72 hours on 2, 6-dichlorobenzoate. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of DNA of LP5 showed aromatic dihydroxylating (ARHDO) gene band with molecular weight corresponding to the targeted fragment (0.73 kb). The capability of LP5 on dichlorobenzoates and detection of dioxygenase genes is a validation of its versatility and potential for bioremediation