Microbial oxidation of dibenzothiophene by the thermophilic organism Sulfolobus acidocaldarius.

The refractory organic sulfur compound dibenzothiophene (DBT) has been oxidized by the thermophilic, sulfur oxidizing organism Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. Sulfate ions were released into the medium as the oxidation product. The kinetics of this oxidation have been investigated on the basis of sulfate released as a result of oxidation. Dibenzothiophene was found to be inhibitory to the organisms for initial concentrations over 500 mg/L. The organism may prove to be capable of oxidizing thiophene compounds present in oil refinery wastewater, coal, and crude oil.