The adhesion of Yarrowia lipolytica and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on organosilicon thin films deposited on polycarbonate substrates was investigated through a series of adhesion tests in order to obtain a selective substrate for Y. lipolytica cell adhesion. Organosilicon thin films were prepared using atmospheric pressure surface barrier discharge. The surface was characterized by its total surface energy with its components calculated using the acid-base theory. Assessment of adhesion via cell surface coverage was obtained by standard tests and also through image analysis of yeast cells on the organosilicon layers. The results show that it is possible to create organosilicon thin films for a selective adhesion of Y. lipolytica face to S. cerevisiae behaviour, for potential use in fixed bed biofilm reactors for industrial purposes involving enzyme-based biotransformations. (c) 2007 Society of Chemical Industry