Biodegradation of phthalate esters by Pantoea dispersa BJQ0007 isolated from Baijiu

•A Pantoea dispersa strain BJQ0007 was isolated from Baijiu fermentation starter.•Degradation of five PAEs in grains was first reported using Pantoea dispersa strain.•The whole genome of Pantoea dispersa BJQ0007 was sequenced and annotated.•PAE degradation pathway was proposed with butyl benzoate as an intermediate.•Two enzymes responsible for ester bond hydrolysis of PAEs were identified.