Isolation and characterization of a functional strain with the highly efficient of biological desulfurization and denitrification

Abstract:

[Objective] To isolate a functional strain with the highly efficient of biological desulfurization and denitrification from EGSB-DSR reactor, and study the characterization of the strain. [Methods] In this study, using the Hungate anaerobic roll tube technique a strain with the function of desulfurization and denitrification, A2, was isolated from EGSB-DSR reactor. [Results] Identification based on 16S rRNA sequence indicates that the isolate has a homologous similarity of 99% with Azoarcus sp.. In metabolic of A2, sulfide was adopted for its electron donor and nitrate for electron acceptor. This is the first report about the function of Azoarcus sp. in the desulfurization and denitrification process. The desulfurization and denitrification characterization of the strain shows that strain A2 degraded acetate, nitrate and sulfate in 20 hours completely, with the S2– concentration of 200 mg/L, NO3– concentration of 87.5 mg/L and the Ac– concentration of 200 mg/L. The removal rate of sulfate, nitrate and acetate is 95%, 99% and 99%, respectively. [Conclusion] This result indicates that newly isolated strain A2 with a high capability of desulfurization and denitrification. Strain A2 is a potential microbiology resource for the efficiency improvement of simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification process.

Key words:simultaneous desulfurization and denitrification, isolation, characterization, Azoarcus