Unexpected distribution of immobilized microorganisms within alginate beads.
Immobilization refers to the prevention of free cell movement by natural or artificial means. It has always been assumed that immediately after an immobilization procedure is performed, cells are distributed homogeneously in the beads that entrap them. However, in this study, Escherichia coli and Trichoderma asperellum distribution in alginate-gel beads was found to be nonhomogeneous. In fact, there was a greater presence of cells on the surface of the alginate beads than in their cores.
The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Institute of Biochemistry, Food Science and Nutrition, Faculty of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Quality Sciences, P.O. Box 12, Rehovot 76100, Israel.
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Zohar-Perez
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Chet
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Nussinovitch
D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D018914:Cells, Immobilized / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000379:methods*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D008863:Microspheres; D013499:Surface Properties; D014242:Trichoderma / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology
D000464:Alginates; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid