Alicyclic Hydrocarbons
Alicyclic Hydrocarbons with no terminal methyl groups. Eg., Cyclohexane
Cyclohexane is acted upon by a monooxygenase forming an alicyclic alcohol, cyclohexanol, which is dehydrogenated to form cyclohexanone (ketone). Cyclohexanone is further oxidised to form a lactone. Lactone is oxidised to an alcohol, aldehyde and then a dicarboxylic acid. Further metabolism is by β oxidation.
Microorganisms are found to perform these reactions and grow on cyclohexane. More frequently however, microorganisms are unable to lactonize and open the ring. Commensalism and cometabolism thus play an important role in the biodegradation of Alicyclic Hydrocarbons
