Open AccessDeep desulfurization of hydrodesulfurization‐treated diesel oil by a facultative thermophilic bacterium Mycobacterium sp. X7B
Author(s) -
Li Fu Li,
Xu Ping,
Ma Cui Qing,
Luo Lai Long,
Wang Xiao Shan
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1016/s0378-1097(03)00397-5
Subject(s) - thermophile , hydrodesulfurization , diesel fuel , bacteria , facultative , flue gas desulfurization , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biology , sulfur , ecology , organic chemistry , genetics
The dibenzothiophene (DBT) desulfurization pathway of a facultative thermophilic bacterium Mycobacterium sp. X7B was investigated. Metabolites were identified by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and the results showed that 2‐hydroxybiphenyl, the end product of the previously reported sulfur‐specific pathway (also called 4S pathway), was further converted to 2‐methoxybiphenyl. This is the first strain to possess this ability and therefore, an extended 4S pathway was determined. In addition, the DBT‐desulfurizing bacterium Mycobacterium sp. X7B was able to grow on DBT derivatives such as 4‐methylDBT and 4,6‐dimethylDBT. Resting cells could desulfurize diesel oil (total sulfur, 535 ppm) after hydrodesulfurization. GC flame ionization detection and GC atomic emission detection analyses were used to qualitatively evaluate the effect of Mycobacterium sp. X7B treatment on the content of the diesel oil. The total sulfur content of the diesel oil was reduced 86% using resting cell biocatalysts for 24 h at 45°C.