ENCAPSULATION OF LACTIC ACID BACTERIA IN CALCIUM ALGINATE BEADS FOR BACTERIOCIN PRODUCTON

Investigations on encapsulation of lactic acid bacteria in alginate beads were carried out. For this purpose a bacteriocin producing strain Enterococcus faecium A 2000 was used. For the production of capsules with a small diameter (0.8-1 mm) an electrostatic generator was applied. To enhance of the capsule stability, the fermentation was performed in modified MRS medium without phospates and with addition of CaCl2 . As a result of the immobilization the bacteriocin production was increased with approximately 50 %, compared with the batch fermentation with free cells. The immobilized cells could be reuses up to three times after filtration and re-suspension in new medium.