Ethanethiol degradation by Ralstonia eutropha

In the present study, a pure culture of Ralstonia eutropha was used to degrade gaseous ethanethiol. Ethane thiol at various initial concentrations ranging from 115 to 320 mg/m³ was degraded almost completely within 120 ～ 168 h, while at higher concentrations up to 452 mg/m³, removal efficiency declined. It was likely that ethanethiol was used as the source of energy by R. eutropha, since no clear increase in the biomass concentration was observed. Kinetic data of ethanethiol bidegradation could be fitted using the Monod model. The kinetic parameters were q _m = 0.23 (mg ethanethiol/g biomass/h), and K _s = 1.379 (mg/L). The mineralization pathway of ethanethiol through sulphate, as the detected product, and the energy production were discussed in some detail.