Open AccessMicrobial Cycling of Methanethiol
Author(s) -
Hendrik Schäfer,
Özge Eyice
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
current issues in molecular biology
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.835
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1467-3045
pISSN - 1467-3037
DOI - 10.21775/cimb.033.173
Subject(s) - methanethiol , sulfur cycle , biogeochemical cycle , sulfur , environmental chemistry , dimethylsulfoniopropionate , microorganism , microbial biodegradation , degradation (telecommunications) , carbon cycle , chemistry , ecology , biology , ecosystem , bacteria , organic chemistry , nutrient , genetics , phytoplankton , telecommunications , computer science
Methanethiol (MT) is an organic sulfur compound with a strong and disagreeable odour. It has biogeochemical relevance as an important compound in the global sulfur cycle, where it is produced as a reactive intermediate in a number of different pathways for synthesis and degradation of other globally significant sulfur compounds such as dimethylsulfoniopropionate, dimethylsulfide and methionine. With its low odour threshold and unpleasant smell, MT can be a significant cause of malodour originating from animal husbandry, composting, landfill operations, and wastewater treatment and is also associated with faeces, flatus and oral malodour (halitosis). A diverse range of microorganisms drives the production and degradation of MT, including its aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. MT producing and degrading organisms are known to be present in terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments but may also be important in association with plant and animal (including human) hosts. This chapter considers the role of MT as an intermediate of the global sulfur cycle and discusses current knowledge of microbial pathways of MT production and degradation.