Mechanisms and occurrence of microbial oxidation of long-chain alkanes

The different primary oxidation steps of long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons by microorganisms and the pathways of degradation are reviewed.

Furthermore, the occurrence of the different degradation pathways in microorganisms is described. Some relations with regard to taxonomy of microorganisms can be observed.

In the concluding remarks lacks of our knowledge of microbial alkane oxidation are described. Especially, data are missing on the primary oxidation steps, on enzymes of the different pathways and on the regulation of alkane oxidation in most microorganisms.