Silica sol-gel encapsulated methylotrophic yeast as filling of biofilters for the removal of methanol from industrial wastewater

• Organo-silica sol-gel shells protect yeast cells from exposure to harmful factors.
• Designed biocatalyst can purify wastewater with methanol concentration up to 30 mM
• Productivity of the biofilter is 3 times higher than that of the aeration tanks.

AbstarctThis research suggests the use of new hybrid biomaterials based on methylotrophic yeast cells covered by an alkyl-modified silica shell as biocatalysts. The hybrid biomaterials are produced by sol-gel chemistry from silane precursors. The shell protects microbial cells from harmful effects of acidic environment. Potential use of the hybrid biomaterials based on methylotrophic yeast Ogataea polymorpha VKM Y-2559 encapsulated into alkyl-modified silica matrix for biofilters is represented for the first time. Organo-silica shells covering yeast cells effectively protect them from exposure to harmful factors, including extreme values of pH. The biofilter based on the organic silica matrix encapsulated in the methylotrophic yeast Ogataea polymorpha BKM Y-2559 has an oxidizing power of 3 times more than the capacity of the aeration tanks used at the chemical plants during methyl alcohol production. This may lead to the development of new and effective industrial wastewater treatment technologies.