Thiocyanate utilization by an Arthrobacter

An Arthrobacter species, which utilized thiocyanate (SCN-) as a nitrogen source, was isolated from soil by the enrichment culture method. The organism tolerated SCN- concentrations up to 0.1 M. On addition of nitrate or ammonium ion to cultures of the isolate growing in the presence of SCN-, the organism continued to degrade SCN-. Degradation could be followed by release of 14CO2 from SCN-(14C). The SCN- -degrading activity diminished to low levels as the stationary phase of growth was appraoched.