B. Oxic Degradation of Hydrocarbons 1. Some yeasts and molds 2. However, a hydroxyl group is favorable at this position since the pathway normally generates a beta alcohol anyway. A double bond between the alpha and the beta carbons is also favorable. Recall that in anoxic environments, since oxygen is not available as an electron acceptor, microorganisms utilize alternates such as nitrate, sulfate and ferric iron.
Organisms view xenobiotics as another electron acceptor choice.
Some of the xenobiotics include herbicides, industrial solvents etc. A warning - some partially degraded materials may be even more toxic than the starting materials. Cl - Note that in this reaction carbon is not reduced. The chlorine atom is reduced from 0 to -1. Activation - ATP energy is expended in order to attach CoA to the carboxylic acid group of benzoate, producing a highly reactive mixed anhydride.