Analysis of biodesulfurization of model oil system by the bacterium, strain RIPI-22

The execution of 4S process (sulfur-specific pathway) by growing cells of the newly isolated strain RIPI-22 and its resting cells in both aqueous reaction system and in two-phase system were investigated. The time for maximum desulfurization activity of the strain in resting state and in model oil system (hexadecane containing dibenzothiophene) was 7 h. Using taguchi design procedure the effects of cell density, pH and phase ratio on the desulfurization reaction were studied. The extent of desulfurization was hardly dependent on the pH where as the volume ratio of hydrocarbon-aqueous phase significantly affected the desulfurization activity.On the basis of the determined optimum desulfurizing conditions, the biodesulfurization pattern of DBT was studied and kinetic parameters were calculated.