ABSTRACT
Sulphate-reducing bacteria are commonly associated with biological causes of oil well souring. Biosulphetogenesis can directly affect oil quality and storage due to the accumulation of sulphides. In addition, these microorganisms can create bio-incrustation that can clog pipes. Sulphite reductase (SIR) is the enzyme responsible for converting ion sulphite into sulphide and several substances may interfere or control such activity. This interference can hinder growth of the sulphate-reducing bacteria and, consequently, it reduces sulphide accumulation in situ. This work focuses on molecular modelling techniques along with in vitro experiments in order to investigate the potential of two essential oils and one vegetable oil as main inhibitors of sulphite reductase activity. Docking simulation identified several substances present in Rosmarinus officinalis, Tea tree and Neem extractable oils as potential inhibitors of SIR. Substances present in Neem vegetable oil are the most potent inhibitors, followed by Rosmarinus officinalis and Tea tree essential oils. The Neem oil mixture showed a superior effectiveness in intracellular SIR inhibitory effects.
Subject(s)
Bacteria/drug effects , Bacteria/enzymology , Molecular Docking Simulation , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors/antagonists & inhibitors , Sulfates/metabolism , Tea Tree Oil/pharmacology , Bacteria/metabolism , Rosmarinus/chemistryABSTRACT
We have used docking techniques in order to propose potential inhibitors to the enzymes adenosine phosphosulfate reductase and adenosine triphosphate sulfurylase that are responsible, among other deleterious effects, for causing souring of oil and gas reservoirs. Three candidates selected through molecular docking revealed new and improved polar and hydrophobic interactions with the above-mentioned enzymes. Microbiological laboratory assays performed subsequently corroborated the results of computer modelling that the three compounds can efficiently control the biogenic sulfide production.
Subject(s)
Ligands , Molecular Docking Simulation , Binding Sites , Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Models, Molecular , Molecular Conformation , Molecular Dynamics Simulation , Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors/antagonists & inhibitors , Oxidoreductases Acting on Sulfur Group Donors/chemistry , Protein Binding , Sulfate Adenylyltransferase/antagonists & inhibitors , Sulfate Adenylyltransferase/chemistryABSTRACT
The biogenic production of hydrogen sulfide gas by sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) causes serious economic problems for natural gas and oil industry. One of the key enzymes important in this biologic process is adenosine phosphosulfate reductase (APSr). Using virtual screening technique we have discovered 15 compounds that are novel potential APSr inhibitors. Three of them have been selected for molecular docking and microbiological studies which have shown good inhibition of SRB in the produced water from the oil industry.
