Biocatalytic coatings for air pollution control: A proof of concept study on VOC biodegradation

ABSTRACT Although biofilm‐based biotechnologies exhibit a large potential as solutions for off‐gas treatment, the high water content of biofilms often causes pollutant mass transfer limitations, which ultimately limit their widespread application. The present study reports on the proof of concept of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Biotechnology and bioengineering 2015-02, Vol.112 (2), p.263-271
Main Authors: Estrada, José M., Bernal, Oscar I., Flickinger, Michael C., Muñoz, Raúl, Deshusses, Marc A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants - analysis
Air Pollutants - chemistry
Air Pollutants - isolation & purification
Air pollution
Bacteria
bioactive latex coating
Biocompatibility
Biodegradation
Biodegradation, Environmental
Biofilms
biofiltration
biological paint
Cells
Coatings
Latex
Pollution control
Pseudomonas putida
Toluene
VOC
VOCs
Volatile organic compounds
Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis
Volatile Organic Compounds - chemistry
Volatile Organic Compounds - isolation & purification
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Summary:ABSTRACT Although biofilm‐based biotechnologies exhibit a large potential as solutions for off‐gas treatment, the high water content of biofilms often causes pollutant mass transfer limitations, which ultimately limit their widespread application. The present study reports on the proof of concept of the applicability of bioactive latex coatings for air pollution control. Toluene vapors served as a model volatile organic compound (VOC). The results showed that Pseudomonas putida F1 cells could be successfully entrapped in nanoporous latex coatings while preserving their toluene degradation activity. Bioactive latex coatings exhibited toluene specific biodegradation rates 10 times higher than agarose‐based biofilms, because the thin coatings were less subject to diffusional mass transfer limitations. Drying and pollutant starvation were identified as key factors inducing a gradual deterioration of the biodegradation capacity in these innovative coatings. This study constitutes the first application of bioactive latex coatings for VOC abatement. These coatings could become promising means for air pollution control. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 263–271. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Novel biologically active coatings were made with toluene degrading bacteria and latex. Paper strips painted with these coatings could effectively remove toluene vapors.
ISSN:0006-3592
1097-0290
DOI:10.1002/bit.25353