Isolation and characterization of thermophilic benzothiophene-degrading Mycobacterium sp.
A bacterial strain, SWU-4, capable of using benzothiophene (BT) as a sole carbon and energy source was isolated from a petroleum-contaminated site in Thailand and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis to be in the genus of Mycobacterium. The strain was Gram-positive, nonspore former, and grew at 50 degrees C. Colonies of the strain on nutrient agar were rod-shaped, smooth with a convex surface, slightly mucoid, and yellow pigmented. The thermophilic Mycobacterium sp. strain SWU-4 rapidly degraded 2% (w/v) BT at 50 degrees C. Interestingly, this strain was able to degrade a wide variety of organosulfur compounds including thiophene, bromo(alpha)thiophene, and 3-methylthiophene in liquid minimum medium at 50 degrees C, which will be beneficial for industrial applications.
Watanapokasin
Yuwadee
Y
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakarinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand. drusomsakusarangbin@hotmail.com
Nuchfoang
Siriporn
S
Nilwarangkoon
Sirinun
S
Sarangbin
Somsak
S
Kakizono
Toshihide
T
D001673:Biodegradation, Environmental; D006094:Gram-Positive Bacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D007700:Kinetics; D009161:Mycobacterium / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010578:Petroleum; D010802:Phylogeny; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D013464:Sulfuric Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D013785:Thailand; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D010578:Petroleum; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D013876:Thiophenes; C088015:benzothiophene