Molecular evidence for biodegradation of geomacromolecules

Mathematics – Logic

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

The biodegradability of macromolecular organic structures of geological origin was investigated by performing in vitro studies. Cultures of the common Nocardioides simplex were grown, first, on a high molecular weight, asymmetric thioether (1-(phytanylsulfanyl)-octadecane 1 ) and then on macromolecular fractions isolated from a sulfur-rich oil. Gross data indicate that bacteria convert macromolecular substances to material of higher polarity by oxidizing the abundant thioethers to sulfones and sulfoxides and by introducing new functionalities, such as carboxylic acid, keto or hydroxyl groups. Furthermore, bacteria remineralize the macromolecular structures. Bacterially induced alterations were also studied on a molecular level after chemical desulfurization of the macromolecular structure. Thus, it could be established that the amounts of linear hydrocarbons in the macromolecular structure are decreased relative to branched and cyclic structures due to a preferential bacterial attack of the linear moieties bound to the macromolecules. This is further supported by the detection of S-bound fatty acids resulting from the bacterial oxidation of S-bound n -alkanes. Moreover, N. simplex also degraded sulfur-bound steranes by oxidation of the steroid side-chain leading to S-bound steroid acids.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Molecular evidence for biodegradation of geomacromolecules does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Molecular evidence for biodegradation of geomacromolecules, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Molecular evidence for biodegradation of geomacromolecules will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-868500

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.