Microorganisms which can assimilate 2-phenylethanol were screened from soil for oxidation of various alcohols into carbonyl compounds. One strain, identified as Brevibacterium sp. KU1309, had high oxidative activity towards ArCH(CH3)CH2OH and Ar(CH2)(n)OH. When the substrate concentration was 0.1 similar to 0.4% (w/v), the oxidation reaction proceeded smoothly (6 similar to 96 h), and the corresponding carboxylates were obtained in good yields (68 similar to 87%).