Biodegradation of toluene using Candida tropicalis immobilized on polymer matrices in fluidized bed bioreactors

► Biodegradation of gaseous toluene in bubble-column bioreactors. ► Whole-cell-immobilization of Candida tropicalis on polymer matrices. ► Polyethylene glycol and polyethylene glycol/activated carbon/alginate (PACA) bioreactor. ► Enhanced toluene removal in the PACA bioreactor with a CO2 yield value of (0.6gCCO2/g-Ctoluene). ► Increase in both toluene mass transfer and activity of C. tropicalis in PACA.