A gram negative bacterium, named JDC-16, which can grow well on the substrate of phthalic acid esters (PAEs) as the sole source of carbon and energy, was isolated from river sludge. Based on the morphology, physiological and biochemical properties and analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence, it was preliminarily identified belonging to the genus Acinetobacter. The result of substrates utilization range indicates that strain JDC-16 can utilize a variety of phthalates except for diisononyl phthalate (DINP). The degradation tests using diethyl phthalate (DEP) as the model compound show that the optimal pH and temperature for DEP degradation by Acinetobacter sp. JDC-16 is 8.0 and 35 ℃, respectively. Meanwhile, degradation kinetics under various initial concentrations of DEP reveals that substrate depletion curves fit well with the modified Gompertz model with high correlation coefficient (R 2 ＞0.99). Furthermore, the substrate induction test indicates that DEP-induction can apparently shorten the lag phase and enhance the degradation rate. This work highlights the potential of this isolate for bioremediation of phthalates-contaminated environments.