Biological desulfurization

In a patent on biological desulfurization [100] of petroleum/coal, only the use of whole cell biocatalysts was claimed. The biocatalysts included microorganisms belonging to the genus Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Enterobacter, Aeromonas, Bacillus or Corynebacterium. The desulfurization pathway (sulfur-specific vs. destructive) was not specified. The Japanese patents No. JP2071936C and JP7103379B seem to be equivalent patents. 

Recombinant coliform bacillus expressing desulfurizing enzyme and biological desulfurization method using thereof [133],... 

Lee, S. Y. Park, S. J., and Jang, Y. K., Recombinant Coliform Bacillus Expressing Desulfurizing Enzyme and Biological Desulfurization Method Using Thereof. Patent No. KR2000051096. 2000, Aug. 16. 

Ishio, M. Fujii, M., and Matsubara, S., Culture and growth of microorganism capable of oxidizing and decomposing sulfur compound contained in petroleum and biological desulfurization Patent No. JP7111900. 1995, May 02. 

D.J. Monticello, Biological desulfurization (BDS) of middle distillates, NPRA annual meeting, paper AM 93-14. 

Bhattacharyya, D., Hsieh, M., Francis, H., Kermode, R.L, and Aleem, M.I.H. 1990. Biological desulfurization of coal by mesophUic and thermophilic microorganisms. Resources Conservation and Recycling, 3 81-96. 

Khahd, A.M., Bhattacharyya, D., Hseih, M., Kennode, R.I., and Aleem, M.LH. 1990b. Biological desulfurization of coal, R. Markuszewski and T.D. Wheelock (Eds.). Third International Conference on Processing and Utilization of High-Sulfur Coals. Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, pp. 469-480. 

The distinction between oxidative and reductive systems is a useful way to divide the world of microbial desulfurization, as it refiects a basic difference in the underlying biochemistry. In this article, the major areas of research in biological desulfurization of inorganic and organic sulfur compounds in waste streams and petroleum-derived fuels are addressed. Both reductive and oxidative approaches are covered. 

Figure 11. The pathway of biological desulfurization of model compound dibenzothiophene relies on biocatalysts for specificity. NADH is reduced nicotinamide adenosine dinucleotide FMN is flavin mononucleotide DSZA, DSZB, DSZC, and DSZD are the catalytic gene products of dszA, dszB, dszC, and dszD, respectively...

---