Rhodococcus spp. utilize taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonate) as sole source of carbon, energy, nitrogen and sulfur for aerobic respiratory growth

The organosulfur compound taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonate), but no other sulfonates tested, served as the sole carbon, sulfur and energy source for the growth of eight Rhodococcus strains examined, taurine's nitrogen was utilized as well. Several sulfonates that were not used as sole sources of carbon, sulfur and energy were nevertheless able to serve as the sole sulfur source for growth when succinate or acetate were carbon and energy sources. Taurine consumption resulted in release of sulfite and ammonium ion into growth medium. Taurine utilization appeared to be an inducible trait. The sulfonate utilization ability appears to be a heretofore unrecognized trait of rhodococci.