FlavobacteriumResinovorum was grown on dehydroabietic acid 1a as sole carbon and energy source. Slowly growing cultures were obtained either by omission of nitrogen, Fe2+ and Mg2+ ions or in the presence of an inhibitor (α,α′-dipyridyle). Under these conditions, different intermediates of the metabolic pathway were accumulated. Diphenol diketone 6a has been isolated. The unique behaviour of bacterial