Characterization of a sulfooxidant bactaria consortium isolated of a natural gas biofiltration system

Abstract

Desulfurization is the process in which microorganisms to oxidize reduced sulfur compounds and transform them into easily removable compounds are used. However, the process is slow, making it necessary to look for new microorganisms that reduce the residence times and make the process more competitive in industry. The application of complex mixtures for inoculation of biofilters such as activated sludge, it is more convenient to scale, that the use of species isolated from microorganisms with potential for degrading the compound of interest. However, the knowledge of its characteristics reduces the adaptation time in the biofilter and help improve the efficiency of the degradation process. The purpose of the investigation is shape and characterize a sulfooxidante bacterial consortium isolated from the biofilm adhered to the support of a biofiltration system as natural gas. For this, the isolation and identification of isolates plus sulfooxidante characterizing the activity thereof was performed; by performing physiological and biochemical tests and analysis of the contribution of factors that can influence growth, respectively. 8 isolates presumptively identified in the generas Bacillus, Lactobacillus y Aeromonas were obtained. The sulfooxidante activity showed that the most favorable conditions for the microorganism’s growth are pH 2 and 4. The latter further degradation of sulfur and consequently greater concentration of sulfate was obtained to pH 4, which was not inhibitory at any of conditions, is evaluated.