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Published on: October 31, 2014
Enhanced desulfurization in a transposon-mutant strain of Rhodococcus erythropolis
Kimiko Watanabe1, Ken-ichi Noda, Kenji Maruhashi
1Bio-Refining Process Laboratory, Technical Cooperation Department, Japan Cooperation Center, Petroleum, 58F Sun-shine 60 3-1-1 Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 170-6058, Japan. kimiko.watanabe@eneos.co.jp
Abstract:
The dsz desulfurization gene cluster from Rhodococcus erythropolis strain KA2-5-1 was transferred into R. erythropolis strain MC1109, unable to desulfurize light gas oil (LGO), using a transposon-transposase complex. As a result, two recombinant strains, named MC0203 and MC0122, were isolated. Resting cells of strain MC0203 decreased the sulfur concentration of LGO from 120 mg l(-1) to 70 mg l(-1) in 2 h. The LGO-desulfurization activity of strain MC0203 was about twice that of strain MC0122 and KA2-5-1. The 10-methyl fatty acids of strain MC0203 were about 28%-41% that of strain MC1109. It is likely that strain MC0203 had a mutation involving alkylenation or methylation of delta9-unsaturated fatty acids caused by the transposon inserted in the chromosome, which increased the fluidity of cell membranes and enhanced the desulfurization activity.
