ABSTRACT
Although much is known about the microbial degradation and utilization of coal-derived organic compounds, relatively little information has been reported concerning the ability of microorganisms to attack the organic framework of intact coal. However, the ability of fungi to solubilize coal appeared to be limited to intact mycelia cultured on a solid substrate. This limitation, combined with the advantages of a submerged culture process, stimulated our interest in the ability of bacteria to solubilize coal. The perceived (at that time) relationship of lignin-degrading capability to coal-solubilizing capability led us to examine two lignin-degrading species of Streptomyces. This chapter describes certain aspects of what is known about coal solubilization by S. setonii are discussed and consideration is given to possible mechanistic aspects based on chemical coal-solubilizing processes.It suggests that the coal-solubilizing component is an alkaline peptide or polyamine stems from its general characteristics and its similarity in action on coal to that of alkaline buffers.
