The C sulfonates DHPS and SL are metabolized for their carbon content, as well as to mineralize their sulfur content. Metabolism of DHPS typically involves conversion to SL. Metabolism of SL can occur in several ways including:
* elimination of sulfite to afford pyruvate;
* oxidation to sulfopyruvate, transamination to cysteate, and elimination of sulfite to afford pyruvate and ammonia;
* oxidation to sulfopyruvate, decarboxylation to sulfoacetaldehyde, and phosphorylation to afford acetylphosphate and sulfite.