Biodegradation of carbazole was enhanced by the presence of a non-aqueous phase liquid (logKo/w≥3.1) at phase ratio of 1:1 (organic/aqueous). In a cyclohexane/aqueous phase system, the maximum specific degradation rate (3.34mg carbazole min−1g dry cell−1) was at an organic/aqueous ratio of 1:1. Pseudomonas sp. XLDN4-9 degraded 47% (w/w) of 1g carbazole l−1 in cyclohexane phase directly within 1h.

The dibenzothiophene (DBT) desulfurization pathway of a facultative thermophilic bacterium Mycobacterium sp. X7B was investigated. Metabolites were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and the results showed that 2-hydroxybiphenyl, the end product of the previously reported sulfur-specific pathway (also called 4S pathway), was further converted to 2-methoxybiphenyl. This is the first strain to possess this ability and therefore, an extended 4S pathway was determined. In addition, the DBT-desulfurizing bacterium Mycobacterium sp. X7B was able to grow on DBT derivatives such as 4-methylDBT and 4,6-dimethylDBT. Resting cells could desulfurize diesel oil (total sulfur, 535 ppm) after hydrodesulfurization. GCflame ionization detection and GCatomic emission detection analyses were used to qualitatively evaluate the effect of Mycobacterium sp. X7B treatment on the content of the diesel oil. The total sulfur content of the diesel oil was reduced 86% using resting cell biocatalysts for 24h at 45℃.