Transformation of Dimethyl Sulfide and Related Compounds by Cultures and Cell Extracts of Marine Phytoplankton

Abstract

Dimethyl sulfide (DMS) was oxidized to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in cultures of five species of marine phytoplankton. Heat treatment (105°C, 5min) of such cultures rendered the oxidation more effective and the oxidation was stimulated by light. Tetrahydrothiophene was oxidized to tetramethylene sulfoxide by a heattreated cultures of Dunaliella sp. Dimethyl disulfide was reduced to methyl mercaptan only by the nonheated culture. Lyophilized cells of Dunaliella sp. and organic extracts of the cells and denaturalized chlorophyll a were also able to oxidize DMS.