Advancing Bacterial Endophyte Encapsulation in Alginate for Sustainable Agriculture: Method Comparisons, Morphology and Viability Assessment

Abstract

This study focused on encapsulating Kosakonia radicincitans in alginate beads and capsules using the Ionic External Gelation (IEG) and Reverse Gelation (RG) methods. The results showed that both IEG and RG methods provided high encapsulation efficiencies (84.61% and 85.22%, respectively) without additives. The beads and capsules displayed distinct morphological characteristics, with beads exhibiting smooth and homogeneous surfaces, while capsules appeared rougher and more irregular. The biodegradability study revealed that the encapsulated materials exhibited higher mass loss at elevated temperatures, indicating the potential rapid release of bacterial cells into the soil-plant system. However, the viability of bacteria persisted around the particles even after 60 days in the soil, suggesting that drying temperature and ambient temperature play crucial roles in determining the biofertilizer's persistence in the soil. This research highlights the complexities associated with the long-term effects of encapsulated biofertilizers, which are critical for advancing toward sustainable environmental and agricultural solutions.