Phenylacetate degradation involves multiple enzymatic reactions that allow the bacterium to use phenylacetate as a carbon and energy source. Due to its hydrophobic nature, phenylacetate can enter bacterial cells via passive diffusion across the cell membrane. Once inside the cell, the enzyme phenylacetate-CoA ligase activates phenylacetate, converting it to phenylacetyl-CoA. This intermediate passes through several enzymatic processes, including oxidation, hydration, and cleavage, to produce metabolites like acetyl-CoA and succinyl-CoA, which then enter the citrate cycle for energy generation and biosynthesis.

Phenylacetate degradation References