Microbial desulfurization of dibenzothiophene: A sulfur‐specific pathway

Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain IGTS8 metabolizes dibenzothiophene, a model compound for organic sulfur in fossil fuels, in a sulfur‐specific manner. Two routes of desulfurization have been identified. Under growth conditions, the intermediates are dibenzothiophene sulfoxide, dibenzothiophene sulfone, 2′‐hydroxybiphenyl‐2‐sulfonate, and 2,2′‐dihydroxybiphenyl. Stationary phase cells produce 2‐hydroxybiphenyl as the desulfurized product and use the 2′‐hydroxybiphenyl‐2‐sulfonate, rather than the sulfonate, as key intermediate.