Asphaltene biotransformation by a novel enzyme thiol peroxidase from <i>Micrococcus</i> sp. IITD107.

ABSTRACT: Asphaltenes are known to cause high density and viscosity in heavy crude oil. The gene for thiol peroxidase was found to be present in five members of the nine-membered bacterial consortium able to biotransform about 75% of asphaltenes. Here, we report cloning, expression, purification, and detailed characterization of a thiol peroxidase enzyme from one of the consortium members, Micrococcus sp. IITD107. Asphaltene was treated with the crude cell lysate obtained after overexpression of thiol peroxidase from heterologous host Escherichia coli as well as with purified enzyme. A significant reduction in the major peaks obtained by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) of asphaltene was observed, corresponding to small polyaromatic hydrocarbons such as benzaldehyde, phenol

SUBMITTER: Patil N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12442351 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature