[Protective effects of agar during immobilization of strains capable to degrade aromatic compounds]

A study of utilization of toxic monoaromatic compounds by microbial cells incorporated into agar matrix revealed positive effects of immobilization on the rate and completeness of biodegradation. This increase in the degrading activity is probably due to a strong protective effect of the polysaccharide carrier. The protective properties of agar are not due to sorptional and diffusional processes in the matrix. These properties were shown to be associated with the formation of a specific extracellular membrane around microcolonies.