Shell Oil Comapny

Peter R Betteridge

John A Schofield

Philip J Geary

George Ryback

Strains of Pseudomonas putida selected from Pseudomonas putida NCIB 12190 and mutant strains thereof, which mutant strains can be obtained by chemical and physical mutation, allowing the mutated bacteria to grow prior to exposure to benzene or fluorobenzene, and subsequently, after further growth in the presence of benzene or fluorobenzene, selecting those mutant strains which accumulate cis-dihydroxycyclohexadiene or catechol or their fluorinated analogues. The new strains can be used in biochemical processes for the preparation of cis-dihydroxycyclohexadienes and catechols.

New strains of Pseudomonas putida and their use

New strains of pseudomonas putida

Process for disrupting cells of a polysaccharide-producing microorganism of the genus Pseudomonas, preferably Pseudomonas sp. NCIB 11592, which contain one or more RP4 and/or RP4::Mu.sub.ts plasmids. Pseudomonas sp. NCIB 11592 containing one or more plasmids. Process for preparing polysaccharides by cultivating the latter. Process for displacing a fluid through a well and/or a permeable subsurface formation using the polysaccharides.

Growing community of inventors

Sittingbourne, United Kingdom

Peter R Betteridge