Degradation of Thianthrene by Dibenzothiophene Desulfurizing Bacteria Rhodococcus erythropolis KA2-5-1

Aromatic organosulfur compound, thianthrene (TA), was degraded by dibenzothiophene (DBT) desulfurizing strains Gordonia sp. TM414, and Rhodococcus erythropolis KA2-5-1, but not by benzothiophene (BT) desulfuriz-ing strain R. jostii T09. Analysis of the acidic ethyl acetate extract of the culture broth revealed that TA-sulfox-ide, TA-sulfone, and 2-phenylsulfanylphenol were formed, suggesting that the degradation pathway was similar to the 4S pathway with DBT. Thianthrene desulfurization is possible using Rhodococcus sp., which is a closely related taxa with Gordonia spp.

Automated summary

Thianthrene can be degraded by Gordonia sp. TM414 and Rhodococcus erythropolis KA2-5-1, but not by R. jostii T09. The degradation pathway is similar to the 4S pathway with DBT. Thianthrene desulfurization is possible using Rhodococcus sp., which is closely related to Gordonia spp.