[Breakdown of alkyl sulfonate by Pseudomonas rathonis]

Pseudomonas rathonis T/1 utilizing alkyl sulfonate, an anionic surfactant, as a sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from the soil taken near a plant producing synthetic detergents. Pseudomonas rathonis T, a more active variant of the above strain, was obtained by selection under the conditions of continuous cultivation. As was shown by identification of intermediate products in the destruction of alkyl sulfonate, its molecule is first cleaved at the C--S bond yielding higher aliphatic alcohols which are then oxidized to the corresponding carboxylic acids. The strain can be used for purification of industrial sewage containing anionic surfactants.