Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase; part of the benzoic acid degradation pathway also known as the protocatechuic acid pathway (PubMed:11594739, Ref.6). Benzoic acid debradation begins with the conversion of benzoic acid into 4-hydroxybenzoic acid through hydroxylation by the benzoate-4-monooxygenase bphA, and its partner NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase cprA which act as a mediator in electron donation from NADPH (PubMed:11594739). 4-Hydroxybenzoic acid is then converted into 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (also called protocatechuic acid) by the p-hydroxybenzoate-m-hydroxylase phhA (Ref.6). Protocatechuic acid is converted into 3-carboxy-cis,cis-muconic acid by the intradiol ring-cleavage dioxygenase prcA, which is further metabolized through the 3-oxoadipate pathway to finally enter the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) (Ref.6). Responsible for cytochrome P450 dependent benzoate hydroxylation in microsomes; requires cprA as the mediator in electron donation from NADPH. benzoate + O2 + reduced [NADPH--hemoprotein reductase] = 4-hydroxybenzoate + H(+) + H2O + oxidized [NADPH--hemoprotein reductase] kcat is 270 min(-1) for benzoate. Expression is induced in the presence of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, and benzoic acid. Leads to reduced growth on benzoic acid (Ref.6). Growth is also reduced on benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, and cinnamic acid (Ref.6). Belongs to the cytochrome P450 family.