The biodegradation of oleates

Unusual oleates and hydroxyoleates which were heretofore potential hazards to environmental quality were studied for degradation characteristics using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the degrading organism. Bacterial growth was employed for estimating biodegradability. The degree and rate of utilization of oleates and hydroxyoleates were found to be effected by purity of the substrate, number or position of oleic acid substituents, presence of metallic cations, and concentration of the substrate.