m-Xylene is used as an intermediate in synthesis, as a solvent and is found in fossil fuels. It is obtained from the refinement of petroleum. m-Xylene enters the atmosphere during the combustion of gasoline. When gasoline or other petroleum fuels spill into soil, m-xylene and related compounds are moderately mobile and may leach into groundwater. It has been found to persist for several years in groundwater if introduced initially at a high concentration. However, m-xylene is biodegradable in soil and groundwater. The related p-Xylene and o-Xylene pathways are also included in the EAWAG-BBD.
The following is a text-format m-Xylene pathway map. Organisms which can initiate the pathway are given, but other organisms may also carry out later steps. Follow the links for more information on compounds or reactions. This map is also available in graphic (13k) format.
m-Xylene
Sphingomonas yanoikuyae B1
Pseudomonas putida mt-2
|
|
| xylene monooxygenase
|
|
v
3-Methylbenzyl alcohol
|
|
| benzylalcohol dehydrogenase
|
|
v
3-Methylbenzaldehyde
|
|
| benzaldehyde dehydrogenase
|
|
v from the
m-Methylbenzoate <----- N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide
| Pathway
|
| toluate dioxygenase
|
|
v
1,2-Dihydroxy-3-methylcyclohexa-
3,5-dienecarboxylate
|
| 1,2-dihydroxy-
| 3-methylcyclohexa-
| 3,5-dienecarboxylate
| dehydrogenase
v
3-Methylcatechol
|
|
|
|
v
to the
Toluene Pathway
Page Author(s): Brian A. Hyatt and Dong Jun Oh
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