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Removal of sulfur-containing organic molecules adsorbed on inorganic supports by Rhodococcus Rhodochrous spp.

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Abstract

Objective

To remove dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyl-dibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) adsorbed on alumina, silica and sepiolite through biodesulfurization (BDS) using Rhodococcus Rhodochrous spp., that selectively reduce sulfur molecules without generating of gaseous pollutants.

Results

The adsorption of DBT and 4,6-DMDBT was affected by the properties of the supports, including particle size and the presence of surface acidic groups. The highest adsorption of both sulfur-containing organic molecules used particle sizes of 0.43–0.063 mm. The highest percentage removal was with sepiolite (80 % for DBT and 56 % for 4,6-DMDBT) and silica (71 % for DBT and 37 % for 4,6-DMDBT). This is attributed to the close interaction between these supports and the bacteria.

Conclusions

Biodesulfurization is effective for removing the sulfur-containing organic molecules adsorbed on inorganic materials and avoids the generation of gaseous pollutants.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to the Chilean government for financial support from CONICYT through FONDECYT Grant 1150544.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centro de MicroBioinnovación, Universidad de Valparaíso, Casilla 5001, Valparaíso, Chile

    M. Alejandro Dinamarca & J. Ojeda

  2. Laboratorio de Biotecnología Microbiana, Escuela de Nutrición, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Casilla 5001, Valparaíso, Chile

    P. Carvajal

  3. Instituto de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, Casilla 4059, Valparaíso, Chile

    P. Baeza & E. Camú

Authors
  1. P. Carvajal
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  2. M. Alejandro Dinamarca
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  3. P. Baeza
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  4. E. Camú
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  5. J. Ojeda
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Ojeda.

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Carvajal, P., Dinamarca, M.A., Baeza, P. et al. Removal of sulfur-containing organic molecules adsorbed on inorganic supports by Rhodococcus Rhodochrous spp.. Biotechnol Lett 39, 241–245 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-016-2240-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-016-2240-y

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