Smart lignin capsules: Next-generation microbial factories

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master_Khanum_Safoorah_2025.pdf (2.23 MB)

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School of Chemical Engineering | Master's thesis
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Date

2025-11-14

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Major/Subject

Biotechnology

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Degree programme

Master's Programme in Chemical, Biochemical and Materials Engineering
Kemian-, bio- ja materiaalitekniikan maisteriohjelma
Magisterprogrammet i kemi-, bio- och materialteknik

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en

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68

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Abstract

Encapsulation technologies have long been employed to improve the stability and delivery of micro-organisms and biomolecules in industrial and biotechnological applications. Probiotic bacteria and enzymes, among the most commonly encapsulated compounds, benefit greatly from this approach. However, conventional hydrogel-based encapsulation matrices often face limitations in sustainability, mechanical strength, and cost-efficiency. To address these limitations, we developed a lignin-alginate composite hydrogel and demonstrated its applicability for the encapsulation of a biotechnologically relevant microbe, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and enzyme, β-galactosidase. Lignin, a biodegradable and abundant biopolymer, was incorporated into an alginate matrix to enhance its structural integrity and protective capacity. The resulting composite beads achieved encapsulation efficiencies of up to 90% and maintained both cell viability and enzyme functionality, following exposure to stress conditions. Additionally, the lignin-alginate matrix improved bacterial viability post-freeze-drying, outperforming alginate-only systems. These findings highlight the potential of lignin-based hydrogels as an eco-friendly, sustainable, and novel approach for biological encapsulations with broad applications in functional foods, controlled drug delivery, and biotechnology.

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Supervisor

Aranko, Sesilja

Thesis advisor

Farooq, Muhammad

Keywords

lignin, probiotics, alginate, viability, β-galactosidase, encapsulation

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https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:aalto-202512179376

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[dipl] Kemian tekniikan korkeakoulu / CHEM