Potential Use of Biofibers for Functional Immobilization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus NRRL 442

The present study aimed to characterize the agricultural residues of sugarcane bagasse {SB} and pineapple core {PC} for the use in immobilization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus NRRL 442. Using Standard Official Methods, SB and PC were found to contain approximately equal amount of nutrition content. The nutrition contents found include: 2.7-2.8 % of protein, 9.8-10 % of crude fiber, and 0.3-0.5 % of fat. On the other hand, SB demonstrated relatively higher solution holding capacity of 9.42 ± 2.3 g/g dry size sample than that of 6.04 ± 2.1 g/g dry size sample in PC. Under screening electron microscope, the fiber of SB has a flat and even surface; in contrast, the fiber of PC has a rough and overlapping surface which may promote the attachment or cell holding capacity during the immobilization process. However, the viability tests after cells immobilization have shown that SB provided higher cell survivability of 93.6 % than that of 64.1% in PC. These result highlighted the greater role of solution holding capacity of cellulose in ensuring a better cell survivability after immobilization process. As conclusion, this study showed the near future potentiality of SB and PC as immobilization carriers for Lactobacillus rhamnosus NRRL 442. It may substitutes proportionally of raw materials and be functional feed for ruminant.