Biodegradation of acetonitrile by cells of Candida guilliermondii UFMG-Y65 immobilized in alginate, κ-carrageenan and citric pectin

Different encapsulation matrices were tested for immobilized cells of Candida guilliermondii UFMG-Y65 used for acetonitrile degradation. Acetonitrile degradation by free cells and cells immobilized in Ba-alginate, kappa -carrageenan and citric pectin was studied. The rate of acetonitrile degradation was monitored for 120 h by measuring yeast growth and ammonia concentration. Different alginate concentrations did not affect cell viability, but the period of incubation in BaCl2 solution reduced the number of viable cells. Likewise, the gel nature and the matrix structure of the support resulting from the cell immobilization conditions were of fundamental importance for biocatalyst activity and performance, affecting substantially the patterns of microbial growth and enzymatic activity. Alginate-immobilized cells degraded acetonitrile more efficiently than kappa -carrageenan or citric pectin-immobilized cells.