Encapsulation of viable aerobic microorganisms in silica gels

A P Taylor; K S Finnie; John R Bartlett; P J Holden

doi:10.1007/s10971-004-5792-6

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Encapsulation of viable aerobic microorganisms in silica gels

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Encapsulation of viable aerobic microorganisms in silica gels

A P Taylor, K S Finnie, John R Bartlett and P J Holden

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, Vol.32(1-3), pp.223-228

2004

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-004-5792-6

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Abstract

Materials Engineering

bioencapsulation

sol-gel

Penicillium chrysogenum

Streptomyces rimosus

penicillin

oxytetracycline

UV-sterilisation

The aim of this study was to develop techniques to sterilise the surface of silica gels containing encapsulated cells and the liquid broth they were immersed in, so that the observed metabolic activities could be unambiguously assigned to fully encapsulated cells. Gel surfaces were sterilised by UV-irradiation daily. The surfaces of the gels and the overlaying medium remained sterile for 20 days following irradiation, as demonstrated by the lack of visible surface growth and viable cells in the medium. We report the encapsulation of a viable, metabolically active, aerobic fungus Penicillium chrysogenum, and the aerobic Gram-positive bacterium Streptomyces rimosus in gels derived from aqueous silica sols. Carbohydrate consumption (catabolism) and antibiotic biosynthesis (penicillin or oxytetracycline) (anabolism) were monitored in both cultures, demonstrating that the encapsulated cells remained viable within the gel matrix. This demonstrates that the silica gels are sufficiently porous to sustain metabolic activities of aerobic cells, which require the diffusion of oxygen and other substrates within the gel's nanopore network.

Details

Title: Encapsulation of viable aerobic microorganisms in silica gels
Authors: A P Taylor (Author) - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Materials Division
K S Finnie (Author) - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Materials Division
John R Bartlett (Author) - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Materials Division
P J Holden (Author) - Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Materials Division
Publication details: Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology, Vol.32(1-3), pp.223-228
Publisher: Springer New York LLC
Date published: 2004
DOI: 10.1007/s10971-004-5792-6
ISSN: 0928-0707
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99448797602621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Materials Science, Ceramics