Optimizing Sulfur Oxidizing Performance of Paracoccus Pantotrophus Isolated from Leather Industry Wastewater

Biogas has been used as alternatives for renewable energy in many applications. Hydrogen sulfide in the biogas is a significant factor to limit its usages. This research focused on using a pure bacterial strain for hydrogen sulfide removal from the biogas in a biotrickling filter process. The pure bacterial strain was isolated from a full-scale leather industry wastewater treatment plant. 16S rDNA sequence of the isolated bacterium is closely related to Paracoccus pantotrophus. P. pantotrophus is able to use sulfide and thiosulfate as energy sources for growth under aerobic conditions. The optimum concentrations of phosphate buffer (26 - 78 mM, pH 8) and thiosulfate concentrations (5 – 20 g/L) were evaluated in order to maximize microbial growth and sulfur oxidation activity before applying in the biotrickling filter system. The result showed that 52 mM buffer concentration and 10 g/L thiosulfate were suitable for growth and sulfur oxidation activity. The research findings suggest that P. pantotrophus has the potential application in the biotrickling filter process of hydrogen sulfide removal for upgrading biogas quality.