Bacterial Cellulose Nano Fiber (BCNF) as carrier support for the immobilization of probiotic, Lactobacillus acidophilus 016

The present study was conducted to develop bacterial cellulose nanofibers (BCNF) and to evaluate its ability as a carrier material for the incorporation of the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus 016. Bacterial cellulose (5%) dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) solution was amended with an equal volume of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) solution to produce nanofibers via electrospinning. Fourier-transform infrared spectra of BCNF confirmed the absence of TFA used in the dissolution process. Mechanical properties, including tensile strength, surface area, pore-volume, and pore diameter, and thermal analysis of BCNF revealed that the nanofibers could be incorporated in food for the delivery of probiotics. L. acidophilus 016 was successfully immobilized onto the BCNF through the adsorption-incubation technique. SEM micrograph revealed that the immobilized bacteria sustained without any damage during the storage for up to 24 days. Further, the viability studies confirmed the survival of 71% population during the storage at 35 °C. These observations recommended the possibility of BCNF based probiotics for various commercial applications.