Methods for the preparation of a biodesulfurization biocatalyst using Rhodococcus sp

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Environmental Science
• Microbial Chemistry

Background:

• Biodesulfurization (BDS) offers a promising alternative to conventional hydrodesulfurization (HDS).
• Optimizing biocatalyst production is crucial for the economic viability of BDS processes.
• Rhodococcus sp. 1awq utilizes the "4S" pathway for selective sulfur removal from organosulfur compounds like dibenzothiophene (DBT).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate various methods for preparing a cost-effective biodesulfurization (BDS) biocatalyst using Rhodococcus sp. 1awq.
• To evaluate the influence of different sulfur sources (DBT, DMSO, sodium sulfate, mixed sources) on biocatalyst performance.
• To determine the optimal conditions for maximizing desulfurization activity and minimizing production costs.

Main Methods:

• Cultivation of Rhodococcus sp. 1awq using different sole sulfur sources (DBT, DMSO, inorganic sulfur) and mixed sulfur sources.
• Assessment of cell density, desulfurization activity, and desulfurization ability under varying conditions.
• Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of biocatalyst production methods.
• Application of the prepared biocatalyst to hydrodesulfurization (HDS)-treated diesel oil.

Main Results:

• Cultivation in inorganic sulfur induced only partial desulfurization activity compared to DBT.
• Biocatalyst prepared with mixed sulfur sources exhibited significant desulfurization activity.
• Desulfurization activity using DMSO as the sole sulfur source was comparable to using DBT.
• The biocatalyst produced using mixed sulfur sources, at the lowest cost, achieved 78% total sulfur removal from HDS-treated diesel oil.

Conclusions:

• Mixed sulfur sources provide an effective and cost-efficient method for preparing BDS biocatalysts from Rhodococcus sp. 1awq.
• The developed BDS biocatalyst demonstrates high efficiency in removing sulfur from HDS-treated diesel oil.
• This approach offers a sustainable and economically advantageous solution for cleaner fuel production.