Open AccessDifferential desulfurization of dibenzothiophene by newly identified MTCC strains: Influence of Operon Array
Author(s) -
Madhabi M. Bhanjadeo,
Kalyani Rath,
Dhirendra S. Gupta,
Nilotpala Pradhan,
Surendra Kumar Biswal,
B.K. Mishra,
Umakanta Subudhi
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0192536
Subject(s) - dibenzothiophene , rhodococcus , rhodococcus rhodochrous , flue gas desulfurization , arthrobacter , chemistry , operon , chromatography , sulfur , biochemistry , biology , organic chemistry , gene , enzyme , escherichia coli
Since the sulfur specific cleavage is vital for the organic sulfur removal from fossil fuel, we explored potential bacterial strains of MTCC (Microbial Type Culture Collection) to desulfurize the Dibenzothiophene (DBT) through C-S bond cleavage (4-S pathway). MTCC strains Rhodococcus rhodochrous (3552), Arthrobacter sulfureus (3332), Gordonia rubropertincta (289), and Rhodococcus erythropolis (3951) capable of growing in 0.5 mM DBT were examined for their desulfurization ability. The presence of dsz genes as well as the metabolites was screened by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and HPLC, respectively. All these strains showed > 99% DBT desulfurization with 10 days of incubation in minimal salt medium. From the HPLC analysis it was further revealed that these MTCC strains show differences in the end metabolites and desulfurize DBT differently following a variation in the regular 4-S pathway. These findings are also well corroborating with their respective organization of dsz ABC operons and their relative abundance. The above MTCC strains are capable of desulfurizing DBT efficiently and hence can be explored for biodesulfurization of petrochemicals and coal with an eco-friendly and energy economical process.