Pseudomonas aeruginosa encapsulated with calcium carbonate microshells for potential biocontrol of the Ganoderma boninense

• Main Authors: Mustafa, Isshadiba Faikah, Hussein, Mohd Zobir, Idris, Abu Seman, Ramli, Nur Rashyeda, Mustafa, Muskhazli, Fakurazi, Sharida
• Format: Article
• Published: Springer 2023
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/109144/; https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11814-022-1351-5?error=cookies_not_supported&code=87ad2173-95c0-4d29-9acc-92b8f63c397f

The endophytic bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was successfully encapsulated into calcium carbonate microshells and coated with sodium alginate in combination with two other materials: skim milk and empty fruit bunch (EFB). The presence of bacteria cells was confirmed by a strand-like structure, a biofilm through morphology and elemental analysis. The survivability of microencapsulated bacteria was found to last for 17 months when they were maintained in a storage condition of 4 °C. Different coating materials used exhibited significant differences in the P. aeruginosa survival during the storage time. Their bioactivity against Ganoderma boninense resulted in a percentage inhibition radial growth (PIRG) value of more than 70%, which is better than its counterparts, the free Pseudomonas cells. With promising viability results of × 106 CFU/mL after three-month storage, the results demonstrate that skim milk-coated alginate might be good protection for P. aeruginosa that could sustain the viable bacteria at the target site. This is toward a greener, biological control-based plant protection for Ganoderma diseases in the oil palm planting industry.