Biosolubilization of coal by a genetically characterized fungus
Biosolubilization of lignite at ambient temperatures and pressure by the genetically well characterized fungus Neurospora crassa is reported. The fungus also demonstrates the ability to survive on media containing solubilized coal compounds as the sole carbon source. An extracellular protein with an apparent molecular weight of approximately 84,000 daltons that functions in the biosolubilizations process has been isolated and purified to apparent homogeneity. Enhanced secretions of this protein can be induced by the treatment of the growing culture with the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide. Characterization of the heat stability of the solubilizing agent led to the discovery of another, more heat stable, putative solubilization factor having a molecular weight of less than 10,000 daltons. This factor is remarkably similar to a factor that has been previously discovered in another microbial system. Several sources of non-biological solubilization activity were discovered and examined, as well as finding that a common extracellular enzyme, laccase, has the apparent ability to heighten the degree of biosolubilization brought about by the purified solubilizing factor. The amino acid composition of the biologically active protein was determined and found to be distinct from that of laccase. Finally, electrophoretic separation of the products of solubilized lignite indicate a possible difference in breakdown products between coal treated with different chemical and biological agents.
- Research Organization:
- South Carolina Univ., Columbia, SC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 5986551
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Large scale solubilization of coal and bioconversion to utilizable energy. Third quarterly technical progress report, April 1, 1994--June 30, 1994
Large scale solubilization of coal and bioconversion to utilizable energy. Technical progress report, January 1--March 31, 1996
Related Subjects
010405* -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Hydrogenation & Liquefaction
550700 -- Microbiology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
AMINO ACIDS
BIODEGRADATION
BROWN COAL
CARBONACEOUS MATERIALS
CARBOXYLIC ACIDS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COAL
COAL LIQUEFACTION
DECOMPOSITION
DISSOLUTION
ELECTROPHORESIS
ENERGY SOURCES
ENZYMES
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
FUNGI
LIGNITE
LIQUEFACTION
MATERIALS
MOLECULAR WEIGHT
ORGANIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
PROTEINS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
STABILITY
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES