Molecular biological enhancement of coal biodesulfurization
Research in this biodesulfurization project during the past quarter has focused on the genetic and biochemical analysis of the desulfurization ability of Rhodococcus rhodochrous IGTS8. Genetic studies have resulted in the isolation of a derivative of IGTS8, designated IGTS85, that metabolizes dibenzothiophene (DBT) even in the presence of high levels of sulfate. The desulfurization trait of IGTS8 is not expressed in the presence of even trace quantities of sulfate. Since the microbial desulfurization of organosulfur compounds/coal results in the formation of sulfate it is clearly advantageous, from the perspective of a microbial desulfurization process point of view, to have a desulfurization-competent microorganism such as IGTS85 that continues to function in the presence of high levels of sulfate. Genetic studies have also succeeded in identifying a replicon, pRF29, capable of functioning in IGTS8. Optimum conditions for the electroporation of IGTS8 by pRF29 have been established and pRF29 has been introduced into five Rhodococcus strains. This plasmid is not particularly useful as a cloning vector so experiments are currently in progress to create a suitable cloning vector derived from pRF29 which will subsequently be used to clone the desulfurization genes of IGTS8. Biochemical studies have resulted in the development of a rapid quantitative spectrophotometric desulfurization assay. 8 figs., 5 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Institute of Gas Technology, Chicago, IL (USA)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC22-88PC88891
- OSTI ID:
- 5792102
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/PC/88891-T5; ON: DE91014065
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Molecular biological enhancement of coal biodesulfurization. [Rhodococcus rhodochrous]
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59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BIOLOGY
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
DESULFURIZATION
DOCUMENT TYPES
ENERGY SOURCES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GENETICS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
MATERIALS
METABOLISM
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PROGRESS REPORT
THIONAPHTHENES