title: Encapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum 423 and its Bacteriocin in Nanofibers.
abstract: Plantaricin 423, produced by Lactobacillus plantarum 423, was encapsulated in nanofibers that were produced by the electrospinning of 18% (w/v) polyethylene oxide (200 000 Da). The average diameter of the nanofibers was 288 nm. Plantaricin 423 activity decreased from 51 200 AU/ml to 25 600 AU/ml and from 204 800 AU/ml to 51 200 AU/ml after electrospinning, as determined against Lactobacillus sakei DSM 20017 and Enterococcus faecium HKLHS, respectively. Cells of L. plantarum 423 encapsulated in nanofibers decreased from 2.3 × 10(10) cfu/ml before electrospinning to 4.7 × 10(8) cfu/ml thereafter. Cells entrapped in the nanofibers continued to produce plantaricin 423. This is the first report on the encapsulation of a bacteriocin and cells of L. plantarum in nanofibers. The method may be used to design a drug delivery system for bacteriocins and the encapsulation of probiotic lactic acid bacteria. The technology is currently being optimized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, 7600, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
authors.forename: T D J
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Heunis
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, 7600, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Botes
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7602, 7600, Stellenbosch, South Africa. lmtd@sun.ac.za.
authors.forename: L M T
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Dicks
keywords: Bacteria; Bacteriocins; Encapsulation; Nanofibers