[Raoultella planticola, a new strain degrading 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid]

A new strain that degrades the herbicide 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T) was isolated from soil, which was exposed to factors related to the petrochemical industry. According to its physiological, biochemical, cultural, and morphological traits, together with the sequence of the 16S rRNA gene, the strain was identified as Raoultella planticola 33-4ch. The strain could consume 2,4,5-T as a sole source of carbon and energy. The amount of 2,4,5-T in the culture medium decreased by 51% after five days of incubation. Raoultella planticola 33-4ch consumes 2,4,5-T to produce 4-chlorophenoxyacetic, phenoxyacetic, and 3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-hexenoic acids.