Background: Methanol can be effectively removed from air by biofiltration. However, formaldehyde is one of the first metabolic intermediates in the consumption of methanol in methylotrophic microorganisms, and it can be released out of the cell constituting a secondary emission.

Results: The total removal of methanol was achieved up to input loads of 263 g m-3 h-1 and the maximum elimination capacity of the system was obtained at an empty bed residence times of 90 s and reached 330 g m- 3 h-1 at an input methanol load of 414 g m-3 h-1 and 80% of removal efficiency. Formaldehyde was detected inside the biofilter when the input methanol load was above 212 g m-3 h-1 . Biomass in the filter bed was able to degrade the formaldehyde generated, but with the increase of the methanol input load, the unconsumed formaldehyde was released outside the biofilter. The maximum concentration registered at the output of the system was 3.98 g m-3 when the methanol load was 672 g m-3 h-1 in an empty bed residence times of 60 s.

Conclusions: Formaldehyde is produced inside a biofilter when methanol is treated in a biofiltration system inoculated with Pichia pastoris. Biomass present in the reactor is capable of degrading the formaldehyde generated as the concentration of methanol decreases. However, high methanol loads can lead to the generation and release of formaldehyde into the environment.