Biodegradation of Silicon-Oxygen-Carbon- and Silicon-Carbon-Bonds by Bacteria — A Reflection on the Basic Mechanisms for the Biointegration of Silicon

Summary

Several silico-organic compounds, such as tetra-ethoxysilane, diethoxydimethylsilane, and silicon tetraacetate, were found to be well suited for serving as the sole source of energy for the growth of bacteria isolated from various locations. Biodegradation of these compounds could be accomplished by a great number and variety of bacteria. Comparative growth experiments revealed a fair relationship between the chemical properties of the compounds, with regard to the number of C-O-Si- and C-Si-bonds, and their qualifications as substrates. We also found that their breakdown did not necessarily result in the release of free silicate as an end product.