Bacterial microencapsulation with three algal polysaccharides

Abstract

Methods for encapsulating pollutant-degrading bacteria into microbeads of carrageenan type I, carrageenan type II, and guar gum are described. Cell suspensions in solutions of encapsulating agents were passed through a low-pressure nozzle into an aqueous medium. The resultant aerosols polymerized to form microbeads that ranged in diameter from 2–70 μm. Pentachlorophenol degradation experiments with an encapsulated Sphingomonas sp. showed degradation rates similar to those seen using free cells. These results describe three additional matrices for the microencapsulation of bacteria that have potential for use in bioremediation processes.Key words: Sphingomonas, pentachlorophenol, immobilization, encapsulation, bioremediation.