Isolation of a carbon disulfide utilizing Thiomonas sp. and its application in a biotrickling filter

Biodegradation of carbon disulfide and hydrogen sulfide using a moving bed biofilm reactor coupled with sulfur recycling: Performance, mechanism, and potential application

In this work, a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) was equipped for simultaneous biodegradation of CS2 and H2S. MBBR was started up and operated with different inlet concentrations and retention time; results indicated that approximately 81.9% CS2 and 93.9% H2S could be degraded, and the maximum elimination capacities of 209.3 g/(m3·h) and 138.5 g/(m3·h) were achieved for CS2 and H2S, respectively. The biodegradation mechanisms, including mass transfer, kinetics, and electron transfer, were then investigated. The mass transfer fraction and the maximum degradation rate per unit filter volume were calculated for evaluating the characteristics of mass transfer in MBBR. The variations of extracellular polymeric substances secretion, electron transport system activity and ATP enzyme activity showed that MBBR had an excellent performance for waste gas purification. Subsequently, the recovery of sulfur was explored via morphology, crystal structure, and generation kinetics, indicating that a modified Gompertz model could precisely describe the kinetics of sulfur recovery, and the product selectivity of 51.7% was achieved for sulfur. The microbial community analysis suggested that the dominant genera for biodegradation and sulfur recovery were Acidithiobacillus and Mycobacterium. Finally, MBBR system was validated for treatment of actual waste gas; results indicated that maximum elimination capacities of 134.1 g/(m3·h) and 117.1 g/(m3·h) were obtained for CS2 and H2S, respectively, suggesting that MBBR had the potential for application.

Methanethiol Consumption and Hydrogen Sulfide Production by the Thermoacidophilic Methanotroph Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV

Methanotrophs aerobically oxidize methane to carbon dioxide to make a living and are known to degrade various other short chain carbon compounds as well. Volatile organic sulfur compounds such as methanethiol (CH₃SH) are important intermediates in the sulfur cycle. Although volatile organic sulfur compounds co-occur with methane in various environments, little is known about how these compounds affect methanotrophy. The enzyme methanethiol oxidase catalyzing the oxidation of methanethiol has been known for decades, but only recently the mtoX gene encoding this enzyme was identified in a methylotrophic bacterium. The presence of a homologous gene in verrucomicrobial methanotrophs prompted us to examine how methanotrophs cope with methanethiol. Here, we show that the verrucomicrobial methanotroph Methylacidiphilum fumariolicum SolV consumes methanethiol and produces H₂S, which is concurrently oxidized. Consumption of methanethiol is required since methanethiol inhibits methane oxidation. Cells incubated with ∼15 μM methanethiol from the start clearly showed inhibition of growth. After depletion of methanethiol, growth resumed within 1 day. Genes encoding a putative methanethiol oxidase were found in a variety of methanotrophs. Therefore, we hypothesize that methanethiol degradation is a widespread detoxification mechanism in methanotrophs in a range of environments.

Biotrickling filter for the removal of volatile sulfur compounds from sewers: A review

Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) were identified as the dominant priority odorants emitted from sewers, including hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), methyl mercaptan (MM), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) and dimethyl sulfide (DMS). Biotrickling filter (BTF) is a widely-applied technology for odour abatement in sewers because of its relatively low operating cost and efficient H₂S removal. The authors review the mechanisms and performance of BTF for the removal of these four VSCs, and discuss the key influencing factors including of empty bed residence time (EBRT), pH, temperature, nutrients, water content, trickling operation and packing materials. Besides, measures to improve the VSCs removal in BTF are proposed in the context of key influencing factors. Finally, the review assesses the new challenges of BTF for sewer emissions treatment, namely with respect to the performance of BTF for greenhouse gases (GHG) treatment.

Synthetic Methylotrophy in Yeasts: Towards a Circular Bioeconomy

Mitigating climate change is a key driver for the development of sustainable and CO₂-neutral production processes. In this regard, connecting carbon capture and utilization processes to derive microbial C₁ fermentation substrates from CO₂ is highly promising. This strategy uses methylotrophic microbes to unlock next-generation processes, converting CO₂-derived methanol. Synthetic biology approaches in particular can empower synthetic methylotrophs to produce a variety of commodity chemicals. We believe that yeasts have outstanding potential for this purpose, because they are able to separate toxic intermediates and metabolic reactions in organelles. This compartmentalization can be harnessed to design superior synthetic methylotrophs, capable of utilizing methanol and other hitherto largely disregarded C₁ compounds, thus supporting the establishment of a future circular economy.

Enhancement of using combined packing materials on the removal of mixed sulfur compounds in a biotrickling filter and analysis of microbial communities

Background

Packing materials is a critical design consideration when employing biological reactor to treat malodorous gases. The acidification of packing bed usually results in a significant drop in the removal efficiency. In the present study, a biotrickling filter (BTF2) packed with plastic balls in the upper layer and with lava rocks in the bottom layer, was proposed to mitigate the acidification.

Results

Results showed that using combined packing materials efficiently enhanced the removal performance of BTF2 when compared with BTF1, which was packed with sole lava rocks. Removal efficiencies of more than 92.5% on four sulfur compounds were achieved in BTF2. Average pH value in its bottom packing bed was about 4.86, significantly higher than that in BTF1 (2.85). Sulfate and elemental sulfur were observed to accumulate more in BTF1 than in BTF2. Analysis of principal coordinate analysis proved that structure of microbial communities in BTF2 changed less after the shutdown but more when the initial pH value was set at 5.5. Network analysis of significant co-occurrence patterns based on the correlations between microbial taxa revealed that BTF2 harbored more diverse microorganisms involving in the bio-oxidation of sulfur compounds and had more complex interactions between microbial species.

Conclusions

Results confirmed that using combined packing materials effectively improved conditions for the growth of microorganisms. The robustness of reactor against acidification, adverse temperature and gas supply shutdown was greatly enhanced. These provided a theoretical basis for using mixed packing materials to improve removal performance.

Comparison of Removal Behavior of Two Biotrickling Filters under Transient Condition and Effect of pH on the Bacterial Communities

Although biotrickling filters (BTFs) applied under acidic condition to remove H₂S from waste gases have been reported, the removal behavior of the acidic BTF under transient condition which was normal in most industry processes, and corresponding bacterial community have not been thoroughly studied. In the present study, two BTFs were run under neutral (BTFn) and acidic (BTFa) conditions, respectively. The results revealed that the removal performance of BTFa under transient condition was superior to that of BTFn; the maximum H₂S eliminating capacities (ECs) achieved by BTFa and BTFn were 489.9 g/m³ h and 443.6 g/m³ h, respectively. High-throughput sequencing suggested that pH was the critical factor and several other factors including nutrient and the inlet loadings also had roles in shaping bacterial community structure. Acidithiobacillus was the most abundant bacterial group. The results indicated that BTF acclimation under acidic condition may facilitate generating microbial community with high H₂S-degrading capability.

Aerobic biodegradation of odorous dimethyl disulfide in aqueous medium by isolated Bacillus cereus GIGAN2 and identification of transformation intermediates

A novel, flagellated, rod-shape, Gram-positive facultative aerobe, was isolated and identified as Bacillus cereus GIGAN2. It can effectively remove model odorous organics dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) in aqueous solution under aerobic conditions. Initial concentration, pH value and temperature played important role in DMDS biodegradation, and up to 100% of 10mgL(-1) of DMDS could be removed within 96h under the optimum conditions (30°C, pH 7.0 and 200rpm) with a maximum biodegradation rate constant of 0.0330h(-1) and minimum half-life of 21.0h, respectively. Three main intermediates were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry during this biodegradation process. Further, a reaction scheme is also proposed to explain the possible DMDS biodegradation mechanism by GIGAN2 based on the above-identified intermediates. Overall, this is the first report to demonstrate a newly isolated strain using high concentrated DMDS as the sole carbon and energy source with high efficiency.

Diversity and ecophysiology of new isolates of extremely acidophilic CS2-converting Acidithiobacillus strains

Biofiltration of industrial carbon disulfide (CS2)-contaminated waste air streams results in the acidification of biofilters and therefore reduced performance, high water use, and increased costs. To address these issues, we isolated 16 extremely acidophilic CS2-converting Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans strains that tolerated up to 6% (vol/vol) sulfuric acid. The ecophysiological properties of five selected strains (2Bp, Sts 4-3, S1p, G8, and BBW1) were compared. These five strains had pH optima between 1 (2Bp) and 2 (S1p). Their affinities for CS2 ranged between 80 (G8) and 130 (2Bp) μM. Strains S1p, G8, and BBW1 had more hydrophobic cell surfaces and produced less extracellular polymeric substance than did strains 2Bp and Sts 4-3. All five strains converted about 80% of the S added as CS2 to S(0) when CS2 was supplied in excess. The rate of S(0) consumption varied between 7 (Sts 4-3) and 63 (S1p) nmol O2 min(-1) ml culture(-1). Low S(0) consumption rates correlated partly with low levels of cell attachment to externally produced S(0) globules. During chemostat growth, the relative amount of CS2 hydrolase in the cell increased with decreasing growth rates. This resulted in more S(0) accumulation during CS2 overloads at low growth rates. Intermittent interruptions of the CS2 supply affected all five strains. Strains S1p, G8, and BBW1 recovered from 24 h of starvation within 4 h, and strains 2Bp and Sts 4-3 recovered within 24 h after CS2 was resupplied. We recommend the use of mixtures of Acidithiobacillus strains in industrial biofilters.

Bacterial CS2 hydrolases from Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans strains are homologous to the archaeal catenane CS2 hydrolase

Carbon disulfide (CS(2)) and carbonyl sulfide (COS) are important in the global sulfur cycle, and CS(2) is used as a solvent in the viscose industry. These compounds can be converted by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, such as Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans species, to carbon dioxide (CO(2)) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a property used in industrial biofiltration of CS(2)-polluted airstreams. We report on the mechanism of bacterial CS(2) conversion in the extremely acidophilic A. thiooxidans strains S1p and G8. The bacterial CS(2) hydrolases were highly abundant. They were purified and found to be homologous to the only other described (archaeal) CS(2) hydrolase from Acidianus strain A1-3, which forms a catenane of two interlocked rings. The enzymes cluster in a group of β-carbonic anhydrase (β-CA) homologues that may comprise a subclass of CS(2) hydrolases within the β-CA family. Unlike CAs, the CS(2) hydrolases did not hydrate CO(2) but converted CS(2) and COS with H(2)O to H(2)S and CO(2). The CS(2) hydrolases of A. thiooxidans strains G8, 2Bp, Sts 4-3, and BBW1, like the CS(2) hydrolase of Acidianus strain A1-3, exist as both octamers and hexadecamers in solution. The CS(2) hydrolase of A. thiooxidans strain S1p forms only octamers. Structure models of the A. thiooxidans CS(2) hydrolases based on the structure of Acidianus strain A1-3 CS(2) hydrolase suggest that the A. thiooxidans strain G8 CS(2) hydrolase may also form a catenane. In the A. thiooxidans strain S1p enzyme, two insertions (positions 26 and 27 [PD] and positions 56 to 61 [TPAGGG]) and a nine-amino-acid-longer C-terminal tail may prevent catenane formation.

Waste gas biofiltration: advances and limitations of current approaches in microbiology

As confidence in gas biofiltration efficacy grows, ever more complex malodorant and toxic molecules are ameliorated. In parallel, for many countries, emission control legislation becomes increasingly stringent to accommodate both public health and climate change imperatives. Effective gas biofiltration in biofilters and biotrickling filters depends on three key bioreactor variables: the support medium; gas molecule solubilization; and the catabolic population. Organic and inorganic support media, singly or in combination, have been employed and their key criteria are considered by critical appraisal of one, char. Catabolic species have included fungal and bacterial monocultures and, to a lesser extent, microbial communities. In the absence of organic support medium (soil, compost, sewage sludge, etc.) inoculum provision, a targeted enrichment and isolation program must be undertaken followed, possibly, by culture efficacy improvement. Microbial community process enhancement can then be gained by comprehensive characterization of the culturable and total populations. For all species, support medium attachment is critical and this is considered prior to filtration optimization by water content, pH, temperature, loadings, and nutrients manipulation. Finally, to negate discharge of fungal spores, and/or archaeal and/or bacterial cells, capture/destruction technologies are required to enable exploitation of the mineralization product CO(2).

Extremely acidophilic sulfur-oxidizing bacteria applied in biotechnological processes for gas purification

Extreme acidophilic (pH ~ 0.25) microorganisms have been studied and applied to treat volatile sulfur emissions like carbon disulfide. These microorganisms provide opportunities for biomass control and recycling of sulfuric acid using extremely low pH operating conditions as shown in 70 L bench-scale bioreactors. Applying the extreme acidophilic bacteria in full-scale bioreactors treating carbon disulfide in combination with hydrogen sulfide emissions from industrial processes like the viscose industry was shown to be effective with average total sulfur removal efficiency above 90%.

Evolution of a new enzyme for carbon disulphide conversion by an acidothermophilic archaeon

Extremophilic organisms require specialized enzymes for their exotic metabolisms. Acid-loving thermophilic Archaea that live in the mudpots of volcanic solfataras obtain their energy from reduced sulphur compounds such as hydrogen sulphide (H(2)S) and carbon disulphide (CS(2)). The oxidation of these compounds into sulphuric acid creates the extremely acidic environment that characterizes solfataras. The hyperthermophilic Acidianus strain A1-3, which was isolated from the fumarolic, ancient sauna building at the Solfatara volcano (Naples, Italy), was shown to rapidly convert CS(2) into H(2)S and carbon dioxide (CO(2)), but nothing has been known about the modes of action and the evolution of the enzyme(s) involved. Here we describe the structure, the proposed mechanism and evolution of a CS(2) hydrolase from Acidianus A1-3. The enzyme monomer displays a typical β-carbonic anhydrase fold and active site, yet CO(2) is not one of its substrates. Owing to large carboxy- and amino-terminal arms, an unusual hexadecameric catenane oligomer has evolved. This structure results in the blocking of the entrance to the active site that is found in canonical β-carbonic anhydrases and the formation of a single 15-Å-long, highly hydrophobic tunnel that functions as a specificity filter. The tunnel determines the enzyme's substrate specificity for CS(2), which is hydrophobic. The transposon sequences that surround the gene encoding this CS(2) hydrolase point to horizontal gene transfer as a mechanism for its acquisition during evolution. Our results show how the ancient β-carbonic anhydrase, which is central to global carbon metabolism, was transformed by divergent evolution into a crucial enzyme in CS(2) metabolism.

Monitoring of bacterial communities during low temperature thermal treatment of activated sludge combining DNA phylochip and respirometry techniques

Sludge reduction is one of the major challenges in biological wastewater treatment. One approach is to increase the sludge degradation yield together with the biodegradation kinetics. Among the various sludge pretreatment strategies proposed, thermal pretreatment at around 65 °C was described as promising. The enhancement in the biodegradation activity due to the selection of thermophilic hydrolytic bacteria was proposed, but further experiments are needed to demonstrate the specific role of these bacteria. In this study, concentrated activated sludge grown at 20 °C was subjected to thermal treatment at 65 °C for different periods. The originality of the work relied on a polyphasic approach based on the correlation between kinetics (chemical oxygen demand, COD; mixed liquor suspended solids, MLSS), bacterial activity (respirometry) and bacterial community structure (phylochip monitoring) in order to characterize the mechanisms involved in the thermal reduction of sludge. The bacterial activity in the aeration basin decreased to a very low level when recycling sludge was treated at 65 °C from 13 to 60 h, but then, started to increase after 60 h. In parallel to these fluctuations in activity, a drastic shift occurred in the bacterial community structure with the selection of thermophilic bacteria (mainly related to genera Paenibacillus and Bacillus), which are known for their specific hydrolases.

Reassessment of the phylogenetic relationships of Thiomonas cuprina

The published sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of Thiomonas cuprina strain Hö5 (=DSM 5495T) (GenBank accession no. U67162) was found to be erroneous. The 16S rRNA genes from the type strain held by the DSMZ since 1990 (DSM 5495T =NBRC 102145T) and strain Hö5 maintained frozen in the Universität Regensburg for 23 years (=NBRC 102094) were sequenced and found to be identical, but to show no significant similarity to the U67162 sequence. This also casts some doubt on the previously published 5S and 23S rRNA gene sequences (GenBank accession nos U67171 and X75567). The correct 16S rRNA gene sequence showed 99.8 % identity to those from Thiomonas delicata NBRC 14566T and ‘Thiomonas arsenivorans’ DSM 16361. The properties of these three species are re-evaluated, and emended descriptions are provided for the genus Thiomonas and the species Thiomonas cuprina.