a strain of pseudomonas sp . bacterium has been discovered which is capable of converting oleic acid to the novel compound , 7 , 10 - dihydroxy - 8 - octadecenoic acid . the production of dod is unique in that it involves a hydroxylation at two positions and a rearrangement of the double bond of the substrate molecule . the new multifunctional , long - chain aliphatic acid has potential utility as a plasticizer and as a source of intermediates in the synthesis of specialty chemicals .