title: Isolation and characterization of thermophilic benzothiophene-degrading Mycobacterium sp.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakarinwirot University, Bangkok, Thailand. drusomsakusarangbin@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Yuwadee
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Watanapokasin
authors.forename: Siriporn
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nuchfoang
authors.forename: Sirinun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nilwarangkoon
authors.forename: Somsak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarangbin
authors.forename: Toshihide
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kakizono
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D010578:Petroleum; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D013464:Sulfuric Acids; D013876:Thiophenes; C088015:benzothiophene