[Preparatory metabolism of p-hydroxybenzoic acid in Candida tropicalis].

A technique of experimental adaptation was used to obtain mutants of Candida tropicalis which were able to utilize p-hydroxybenzoic acid as the sole source of carbon and energy. The preparatory metabolism of p-hydroxybenzoic acid involves the following stages: PHBA leads to quinol leads to hydroxyquinol leads to maleylacetic acid leads to beta-ketoadipic acid. The enzyme system which catalyzes oxidative decarboxylation of PHBA mediates also oxidative decarboxylation of protocatechuic, beta-resorcylic and gallic acids, i.