Genomic Insights and Biodesulfurization Application of an Efficient Desulfurizer Strain TYWJ-2

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) prevalent in fuel gases such as natural gas and biogas necessitates removal prior to utilization or pipeline distribution. Biological desulfurization is considered a green purification technology employing sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) under ambient conditions to eliminate sulfur compounds, offering advantages including high efficiency, simplified equipment, and minimal chemical consumption. A highly efficient SOB TYWJ-2 was isolated in this study. Genomic analysis revealed that strain TYWJ-2 possesses a complete set of sulfur metabolism genes, enabling the metabolism of various inorganic sulfides, along with salt-tolerance genes that support adaptation to high osmolarity environments. The optimal conditions for desulfurization were determined through single-factor experiments and Box–Behnken response surface methodology. Long-term desulfurization performance demonstrated stable operational efficiency, with H2S removal rates consistently reaching 99.72~99.87%. System performance remained robust under varying sulfur loads, elevated salinity, and intermittent operational shutdowns, with no significant decline in desulfurization efficiency observed. These findings indicate that strain TYWJ-2 holds considerable potential for the biological desulfurization of sulfur-containing biogas and natural gas.