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5241662 
Journal Article 
Demonstration of Thiobacillus-type bacteria, which utilize methyl sulphides 
Sivela, S; Sundman, V 
1975 
Yes 
Archives of Microbiology
ISSN: 0302-8933
EISSN: 1432-072X 
103 
3 
303-304 
HEEP COPYRIGHT: BIOL ABS. Condensates of sulfate cellulose mills contain high concentrations of H2S, methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), CH3SCH3 and CH3SSCH3. These toxic and malodorous waste products are formed from the methoxy groups of lignin in the pulping process. A biofilter of fertilized pine bark was tested for odor removal in a sulfate cellulose mill. The efficiency of the filter is 90-95%, if loaded with not more than twice its volume per day. Gram-negative, polarly flagellated bacteria of Thiobacillus-type, which are capable of growing on CH3SCH3 and CH3SSCH3 as the sole source of energy were isolated from the surface layer of the biofilter. Strain MS 1 of the isolated Thiobacillus-type bacteria was able to metabolize methyl sulfides at concentrations of less than 150 mg/l. Bacteria similar to strain MS 1 could be readily isolated from water and mud samples collected from various locations around the cellulose mill. The bacteria indigenous in the bark biofilter may originate from the effluent reservoir pond surrounding the mill where the pine logs are stored before processing and mechanical removal of the bark. These organisms may have evolved as a result of adaptation to oxidize methyl sulfides during the 40 yr of mill operation.