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

• Published in: Biotechnology and bioengineering Vol. 112; no. 2; pp. 263 - 271
• Main Authors: Estrada, José M., Bernal, Oscar I., Flickinger, Michael C., Muñoz, Raúl, Deshusses, Marc A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2015; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - analysis; Air Pollutants - chemistry; Air Pollutants - isolation & purification; Air pollution; Air pollution control; Bacteria; bioactive latex coating; Biocompatibility; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; Biofilms; biofiltration; biological paint; Biotechnology; Cells; Coatings; Latex; Mass transfer; Organic compounds; Pollutants; Pollution control; Pseudomonas putida; Toluene; Vapors; VOC; VOCs; Volatile organic compounds; Volatile Organic Compounds - analysis; Volatile Organic Compounds - chemistry; Volatile Organic Compounds - isolation & purification; Water content; biological paint; bioactive latex coating; air pollution; VOC; biofiltration; Pseudomonas putida; toluene
• ISSN: 0006-3592; 1097-0290; 1097-0290
• DOI: 10.1002/bit.25353

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.