Cellulose Fibers as Microbial Cell Immobilizing Matrix for Enhanced Production of Lactic Acid

Lignocellulosic Biomass is a cheap, abundant, and renewable resource. A large part comprises cellulose and other cross-linked polymers. Rice straw being an agro-waste has been used to perform the experiment. The objective was to observe the immobilization efficiency of cellulose polymer (from rice straw) compared to calcium alginate bead method of immobilization. FTIR studies were performed to check the amount of extracted cellulose. Further, 100 ml bacterial suspension were mixed with cellulose material and incubated in a shaker at 370C for 72 hrs. After 72 hrs., immobilized cells were washed with PBS. Fresh culture medium (deMann, Rogosa and Sharpe agar) was introduced and lactic acid production was estimated by the Barker-Summerson method. MRS agar is a selective medium for Lactic Acid Bacteria. However, the results show the effectiveness of LCB material as compared to calcium alginate. Cell recyclability was also studied using immobilization for comparative studies, to assure that bacterial cells could adhere properly or not.