Mutant microorganisms useful for cleavage of organic C-S bonds

Claim 2

A process for selective preparation of Rhodococcus rhodochrous , ATCC No. 53968, comprising: inoculating with mixed bacteria derived from sites having present materials of C-S bonding desired to be cleaved, a growth medium comprising mineral nutrients, an assimilable source of carbon, and in the substantial absence of a sulfur-containing compound except compounds having sulfur present only in C-S bonding of the type desired to be cleaved; growing the bacterial culture in the presence of oxygen at temperatures about 20° to about 34°C, pH about 5 to about 8, and in the substantial absence of a sulfur-containing compound except compounds having sulfur present only in C-S bonding of the type desired to be cleaved for sufficient time to selectively produce Rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCC No. 53968 which has the property of sulfur metabolism by selective cleavage of C-S bonds in organic carbonaceous materials.

Claim 3

A process according to Claim 2 wherein the pH is maintained at about 6 to about 7.

Claim 4

A process according to Claim 3 wherein the temperature is maintained at about 30 to about 32°C.

Claim 5

A process according to Claim 2 wherein the temperature is maintained at about 30 to about 32°C.

Claim 6

A process for reducing the sulfur content of sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material comprising, contacting a sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material with microorganism Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain ATCC No. 53968.

Claim 7

A process according to Claim 6 wherein said carbonaceous material is coal.

Claim 8

A process according to Claim 6 wherein said carbonaceous material is hydrocarbon oil.

Claim 9

A process according to Claim 6 wherein said microorganism metabolizes said sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material by cleavage of organic C-S bonds and production of inorganic sulfate when grown in a growth medium comprising mineral nutrients and an assimilable source of carbon in the substantial absence of a sulfur-containing compound except said sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material, and in the presence of oxygen at temperatures about 20° to about 34°C.

Claim 10

A process according to Claim 9 wherein the pH is maintained at about 6 to about 7.

Claim 11

A process according to Claim 10 wherein the temperature is maintained at about 30 to about 32°C.

Claim 12

A process according to Claim 9 wherein the temperature is maintained at about 30 to about 32°C.

Claim 13

A process according to Claim 9 wherein said carbonaceous material is coal.

Claim 14

A process according to Claim 9 wherein said carbonaceous material is hydrocarbon oil.

Claim 15

A process for cleavage of organic C-S bonds comprising, contacting an organic carbonaceous material having C-S bonds with microorganism Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain ATCC No. 53968.

Claim 16

A process according to Claim 15 wherein said organic carbonaceous material is a component in an organic synthesis process.

Claim 17

A process according to Claim 15 wherein said organic material is a component in a recycling process.

Claim 18

A process according to Claim 15 wherein said microorganism metabolizes said sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material by cleavage of organic C-S bonds and production of inorganic sulfate when grown in a growth medium comprising mineral nutrients and an assimilable source of carbon in the substantial absence of a sulfur-containing compound except said sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material, and in the presence of oxygen at temperatures about 20° to about 34°C.

Claim 19

A process according to Claim 18 wherein the pH is maintained at about 6 to about 7.

Claim 20

A process according to Claim 19 wherein the temperature is maintained at about 30 to about 32°C.

Claim 21

A process according to Claim 18 wherein the temperature is maintained at about 30 to about 32°C.

Claim 22

A process according to Claim 18 wherein said carbonaceous material is coal.

Claim 23

A process according to Claim 18 wherein said carbonaceous material is hydrocarbon oil.

Claim 24

A biologically pure culture of organic sulfur selective mutant microorganism Rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCC 53968 which has the ability to selectively reduce the sulfur content of sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material by cleavage of organic C-S bonds and production of inorganic sulfate when grown in a growth medium comprising mineral nutrients and an assimilable source of carbon in the substantial absence of a sulfur-containing compound except said sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material, and in the presence of oxygen at temperatures about 20° to about 34°C.

Claim 25

A biologically pure culture of organic sulfur selective mutant microorganism Rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCC 53968 which has the ability to metabolize dibenzothiophene by cleavage of organic C-S bonds and produce substantially sole products 2-hydroxybiphenyl and inorganic sulfate when grown in a growth medium comprising mineral nutrients and an assimilable source of carbon in the substantial absence of a sulfur-containing compound except said dibenzothiophene and in the presence of oxygen at temperatures about 20° to about 34°C.

Claim 26

A biologically pure culture of organic sulfur selective derivative microorganisms of Rhodococcus rhodochrous ATCC 53968 which have the ability to selectively reduce the sulfur content of sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material by cleavage of organic C-S bonds and production of inorganic sulfate when grown in a growth medium comprising mineral nutrients and an assimilable source of carbon in the substantial absence of a sulfur-containing compound except said sulfur-containing organic carbonaceous material, and in the presence of oxygen at temperatures about 20° to about 34°C.