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Biotechnol Bioeng

Title:		Removal of toluene in a vapor-phase bioreactor containing a strain of the dimorphic black yeast Exophiala lecanii-corni
Author(s):		Woertz JR; Kinney KA; McIntosh ND; Szaniszlo PJ;
Address:		"Department of Civil Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA"
Journal Title:		Biotechnol Bioeng
Year:		2001
Volume:		75
Issue:		5
Page Number:		550 - 558
DOI:		10.1002/bit.10066
ISSN/ISBN:		0006-3592 (Print) 0006-3592 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Stricter regulations on volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants have increased the demand for abatement technologies. Biofiltration, a process in which contaminated air is passed through a biologically active bed, can be used to remove these pollutants from air streams. In this study, a fungal vapor-phase bioreactor containing a strain of the dimorphic black yeast, Exophiala lecanii-corni, was used to treat a gas stream contaminated with toluene. The maximum toluene elimination capacity in short-term tests was 270 g m(-3) h(-1), which is 2 to 7 times greater than the toluene elimination capacities typically reported for bacterial systems. The fungal bioreactor also maintained toluene removal efficiencies of greater than 95% throughout the 175-day study. Harsh operating conditions such as low moisture content, acidic biofilms, and nitrogen limitation did not adversely affect performance. The fungal bioreactor also rapidly reestablished high toluene removal efficiencies after an 8-day shutdown period. These results indicate that fungal bioreactors may be an effective alternative to conventional abatement technologies for treating high concentrations of pollutants in waste gas streams"
Keywords:		Air Pollutants/metabolism Biomass Bioreactors/*microbiology Biotransformation/physiology Carbon Dioxide/metabolism Exophiala/*metabolism Hydrogen-Ion Concentration Quaternary Ammonium Compounds Toluene/*metabolism Volatilization;
Notes:		"MedlineWoertz, J R Kinney, K A McIntosh, N D Szaniszlo, P J eng Comparative Study Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 2001/12/18 Biotechnol Bioeng. 2001 Dec 5; 75(5):550-8. doi: 10.1002/bit.10066"