S. Nekodzuka et al., SPECIFIC DESULFURIZATION OF DIBENZOTHIOPHENE BY MYCOBACTERIUM SP STRAIN G3, Biocatalysis and biotransformation, 15(1), 1997, pp. 17-27
Various microorganisms were screened for their ability to desulfurize
dibenzothiophene (DBT) via a sulfur-specific pathway. Based on the des
ulfurization activity, strain G3 was selected as the best strain. From
taxonomical studies, the strain was shown to belong to the genus Myco
bacterium. Dibenzothiophene was degraded by both growing and resting c
ells of this strain, and 2-hydroxybiphenyl was detected as a dead-end
product. Strain G3 could also desulfurize 4,6-dimethylDBT. Sulfate ion
repressed the expression of the DBT desulfurizing enzyme(s). Accumula
tion of 2-hydroxybiphenyl produced severe inhibitory effects on both c
ell growth and DBT desulfurization. Resting cells of this strain could
desulfurize about 250 ppm of DBT or 4,6-dimethylDBT within 12h.