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Title: Molecular biological enhancement of coal biodesulfurization

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5921991

The objective of this project is to produce one or more microorganisms capable of removing the organic and inorganic sulfur in coal. The specific technical objectives of the project are to: Clone and characterize the genes encoding the enzymes of the 4S pathway (sulfoxide/sulfone/sulfonate/sulfate) for release of organic sulfur from coal; Return multiple copies of genes to the original host to enhance the biodesulfurization activity of that organism; Transfer this pathway into a fast-growing chemolithotrophic bacterium; and Conduct a batch-mode optimization/analysis of scale-up variables. The following work was accomplished during the 7th Quarterly Report Period by Battelle. ALA and SDP cultures have been analyzed for DBT metabolism. Several Pseudomonas and Thiobacillus strains were acquired during the quarter; these included host strains, and organisms containing broad host range vectors and a transposon. A broad-host range promoter probe vector is under construction. pTFI91 has been restriction mapped and cloned into the broad host range vector pDSK519. Preliminary electroporation studies with T. ferrooxidans have been completed. Confirmation that the mercuric reductase gene is present in the T. ferrooxidans strain DSM5083 was obtained by Southern blot analysis. A broad host range plasmid library is now being prepared. Results are presented. 2 figs. 2 tabs.

Research Organization:
Battelle, Columbus, OH (USA)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC22-89PC89902
OSTI ID:
5921991
Report Number(s):
DOE/PC/89902-T4; ON: DE91010539
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English