Biodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene and other organic sulfur compounds by a newly isolated Microbacterium strain ZD-M2

A new bacterial strain capable of selectively desulfurizing dibenzothiphene (DBT) was isolated from sludge. This organism, designated ZD-M2, clustered most closely with members of the genus Microbacterium, as determined by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Metabolites produced by DBT desulfurization were identified by GC-MS, and two sulfur-free products, 2-methoxybiphenyl (2-MBP) and biphenyl, were detected in addition to 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP). This strain can also totally degrade 4,6-dimethyl-DBT, thiophene, benzothiophene and 70% diphenylsulfide.