Isolation and characterization of a marine bacterium belonging to the genus Alkaligenes capable of the complete mineralization of the dibenzothiophene

Following enrichment on benzoate five bacterial isolates capable of aerobic growth on dibenzothiophene were obtained from sea water collected off the west coast of India near the city of Goa. Sampling location had been previously contaminated with furnace oil spilled from a tanker. Classified as marine bacteria by their requirement for and optimum growth on 3% NaCl, all the isolates were identified by morphological observations and biochemical tests as belonging to the genes Alkaligenes. A single isolates producing intense red pigmented colony when growing on dibenzothiophene was chosen for further studies and designated as Strain JR110. During catabolism of dibenzothiophene intermediates were observed after initial dissolution and complete mineralization was achieved. JR110, independently confirmed as belonging to the genus Alkaligenes by Im Tech, India was deposited in their culture collection as MTCC3317.