SERS characterization of biochemical changes associated with biodesulfurization of dibenzothiophene using Gordonia sp. HS126-4N

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2024 Nov 5:320:124534. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.124534. Epub 2024 May 25.

Abstract

In this study, Gordonia sp. HS126-4N was employed for dibenzothiophene (DBT) biodesulfurization, tracked over 9 days using SERS. During the initial lag phase, no significant spectral changes were observed, but after 48 h, elevated metabolic activity was evident. At 72 h, maximal bacterial population correlated with peak spectrum variance, followed by stable spectral patterns. Despite 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP) induced enzyme suppression, DBT biodesulfurization persisted. PCA and PLS-DA analysis of the SERS spectra revealed distinctive features linked to both bacteria and DBT, showcasing successful desulfurization and bacterial growth stimulation. PLS-DA achieved a specificity of 95.5 %, sensitivity of 94.3 %, and AUC of 74 %, indicating excellent classification of bacteria exposed to DBT. SERS effectively tracked DBT biodesulfurization and bacterial metabolic changes, offering insights into biodesulfurization mechanisms and bacterial development phases. This study highlights SERS' utility in biodesulfurization research, including its use in promising advancements in the field.

Keywords: Bacterial growth; Biodesulfurization; Dibenzothiophene; Gordonia sp. HS126-4N; Partial least squares discriminant analysis; Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

MeSH terms

  • Biodegradation, Environmental
  • Gordonia Bacterium* / metabolism
  • Spectrum Analysis, Raman* / methods
  • Sulfur / chemistry
  • Sulfur / metabolism
  • Thiophenes* / chemistry
  • Thiophenes* / metabolism

Substances

  • Thiophenes
  • dibenzothiophene
  • Sulfur