Effects of surfactant on biodesulfurization by Corynebacterium sp. ZD-1 in the presence of organic phase

Abstract

The effects of surfactants on dibenzothiophene (DBT) degradation by Corynebacterium sp. ZD-1 were investigated in hydrocarbon aqueous biphasic (O/W) systems in shake flask. Among Brij-35, Tween-80, Triton-100X and β-cyclodextrin, Tween-80 was a suitable surfactant to improve the desulfurization rate of dibenzothiophene. The amount of 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP) formed with Tween-80 present was about 50% more than that formed without surfactant. The results demonstrated that Tween-80 could improve the mass transfer of DBT between organic and aqueous phases, and could be used in dibenzothiophene biodesulfurization systems.