Serratia marcescens bacteria were encapsulated in silica gels containing glycerol. In agreement with previous studies on Escherichia coli, entrapped cells showed a ca. 50% viability rate after one month. Nutrients were provided to the bacteria, allowing the production of prodigiosin, a red pigment exhibiting some promising therapeutic properties. Addition of "quorum sensing" molecules involved in intercellular communication leads to an enhanced prodigiosin production after four subsequent recyclings of the bacteria-containing gels over one month. Moreover, at the end of this period, nearly 100% of the initial cell population remain viable within the gels. These results suggest that, in the presence of "quorum sensing" molecules, S. marcescens bacteria can enter a stationary state where their metabolism is modified, enhancing their resistance to the stresses induced by encapsulation.
CITATION STYLE
Nassif, N., Roux, C., Coradin, T., Bouvet, O. M. M., & Livage, J. (2004). Bacteria quorum sensing in silica matrices. Journal of Materials Chemistry, 14(14), 2264–2268. https://doi.org/10.1039/b403958k
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