ISSN:
1572-9729
Keywords:
bacteria
;
2,5-dialkylthiphenes
;
petroleum
;
sulfate
;
2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid
;
thiophenes
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
,
Agriculture, Forestry, Horticulture, Fishery, Domestic Science, Nutrition
Notes:
Abstract 2,5-Dialkylthiophenes are found in bitumens and crude oils, and previous studies showed that bacterial metabolism of some with a methyl substituent lead to the formation of 5-methyl-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid, which persisted in the culture medium (Fedorak PM & Peakman TM 1992 Biodegradation 2: 223–236). The objectives of this investigation were to study the further metabolism of this acid, and of two dialkylthiophenes, 2,5-diundecylthiophene and 2-(3,7-dimethyloctyl)-5-methylthiophene. Undefined, oil-degrading mixed cultures were used. 5-Methyl-2-thiophenecarboxylic acid was oxidized to 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid which was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This dicarboxylic acid was degraded and supported the growth of a mixed microbial population, and approximately 50% of the sulfur in this substrate was detected as sulfate in the medium at the end of the 15-day incubation time. Mixed cultures were incubated with 2,5-diundecylthiophene or 2-(3,7-dimethyloctyl)-5-methylthiophene as their sole carbon source, and at various times some of these were freezedried and the residues were treated to form methyl esters of any carboxylic acids produced. GC-MS analyses showed the presence of several dicarboxylic acids, indicating that both alkyl groups were oxidized. A small amount of the dimethyl ester of 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid was detected in the culture grown on 2,5-diundecylthiophene, and 37% of the sulfur from this dialkylthiophene was detected as sulfate in the medium after 35 days of incubation.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00115745
