Abstract
The metabolism of benzoic acid in three nonpathogenic mycobacteria (Mycobacterium smegmatis, M. stercoris, and M. leprae) was investigated and the results compared with the effects of this compound and its postulated breakdown products on 2 virulent and one avirulent strain of M. tuberculosis (H37Rv, A27, and H37Ra). M. smegmatis and M. stercoris oxidized benzoate via catechol; beyond this the steps were not the same as in certain pseudomonads and vibrios. M. leprae did not oxidize benzoate, but did attack catechol. Preincubation with benzoate, however, apparently adapted it to catechol, and a possible explanation of this was given. The 3 strains of M.tuberculosis did not oxidize any of the compounds tested.