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Published on: October 2, 2012
Kinetic model for microbial growth and desulphurisation with Enterobacter sp
Long Liu1, Zhiguo Guo, Jianjiang Lu
1Key Laboratory for Green Process of Chemical Engineering of Xinjiang Bingtuan, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832003, China, liulong0723@sina.com.
Enterobacter sp. D4 efficiently converts dibenzothiophene into 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP) through biodesulphurisation. Kinetic models accurately describe microbial growth, substrate consumption, and product generation, indicating coupled growth for 2-HBP production.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Dibenzothiophene (DBT) is a persistent organic pollutant found in fossil fuels.
- Biodesulphurisation offers an environmentally friendly alternative for removing sulfur compounds.
- Enterobacter sp. D4 demonstrates potential for selective DBT degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biodesulphurisation of dibenzothiophene (DBT) using Enterobacter sp. D4.
- To model and analyze the kinetics of microbial growth, substrate consumption, and 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP) production.
- To determine the growth-associated production of 2-HBP.
Main Methods:
- Cultivation of Enterobacter sp. D4 for biodesulphurisation.
- Experimental determination of growth, DBT consumption, and 2-HBP generation.
- Application of Hinshelwood, Luedeking-Piret, and Luedeking-Piret-like kinetic models.
- Statistical analysis of model fitting and error evaluation.
Main Results:
- Enterobacter sp. D4 selectively desulphurised DBT to 2-HBP.
- Kinetic models accurately described experimental data with average errors below 10%.
- 2-HBP production was confirmed to be linked to microbial growth ('coupled growth' model).
Conclusions:
- Enterobacter sp. D4 is effective for biodesulphurisation of DBT.
- Established kinetic models provide a robust framework for understanding the process.
- The coupled growth mechanism is key for 2-HBP biosynthesis by this bacterium.
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