5. Production and conservation of biomass from Gram (+) bacteria with biotechnological potential

M. CECILIA SORIA

CABA

Encuentro; Shaping the Future of German-Argentinian Scientific Cooperation - The Role of Curiosity-Driven Research?. Fundación Alexander von Humboldt; 2018

Fundación Alexander von Humboldt

The Basic and Applied Bacteriology group of Dr. Audisio, have been working with different genera of Gram (+) bacteria, with application as bee probiotics or antimicrobial peptides producers against foodborne pathogens. Among these microorganisms, Lactobacillus sp. and Bacillus sp. strains have shown positive effects in the performance of honey bees. On the other hand, Enteroccocus sp. strains producers of bacteriocins, isolated by the research team, were effective against Listeria sp. pathogen. In order to find an economical way to produce cultures of Lactobacillus sp., Bacillus sp. or antimicrobial metabolites from the Enterococcus sp. strains mentioned before, the goal of my current academic project is the use of low-cost ingredients or by-products of local industries as sources of nutrients for bacterial fermentation. In this regard, the use of industrial waste disposal or by-products for bacterial culture with technological properties has two purposes: reducing the environmental impact of such industrial waste and adding value to the by-products by producing a fermented culture with different biotechnological applications. On the other hand, many technologies can be used to dehydrate bacterial culture, such as freeze, spray or vacuum drying. Although freeze drying technology is the main form of dehydrating probiotics for application in foods, we focus the research in the spray-drying technology, an economical alternative not only to conserve the strains but also the development of a bio-product. Since these processes can influence the cell viability in several factors, we are designing strategies to protect bacterial cells and to maintain their viability for successful application.