Abstract：An erythromycin-degrading strain was isolated from soil contaminated by erythromycin. Based on analysis of its morphology, 18S rDNA, physiological and biochemical characteristics, the strain was identified to be Rhodotorula mucilaginosa. Its sequence of 18S rDNA was 1 562 bp and the accession number was EU294522 in GenBank. The strain could grow using erythromycin as the carbon source, optimal carbon and nitrogen sources were sucrose and NH4Cl, respectively. The optimal temperature, pH and inoculation for erythromycin degradation were 30 ℃, 5~5.5, and 6% , respectively, and he degradation rate was positively related to aeration, and could be 100% after the strain was cultured for 48 h.
