Degradation of methylmercaptans by
Thiobacillus Thioparus
TK-m was influenced by pH of
the reaction medium. Ratios of headspace concentrations in empty vials and those of acidified buffer solutions
were less than 1.0. 95% of the H2S was in headspace with the remaining 5% in solution upon acidification. The
values for MM were 80% in headspace and 20% in solution. Different buffer solutions also influence the rate of
removal of mercaptans from reaction vessels. For methylmercaptan oxidase, using Tris/HCl buffer, the highest
level of oxygen uptake was recorded at pH 8.5. Mild changes in the pH levels were recorded at the end of the
reactions. Compared to Tris/HCl buffer, phosphate buffer supports a significantly lower reactivity of MMoxidase
towards methylmercaptan.
