Characterization of Immobilized Cell Alginate Beads of Mudiak Sapan (MS) Isolates Producing Bioelectricity

Bacterial immobilization is the coating or capture of bacteria with organic or inorganic compounds, by binding to the matrix through chemical binding or physically holding it in the cavity of the supporting material, so that bacteria can survive better in less adaptive environmental conditions and can still carry out their metabolism. This study aims to see the characterization of beads produced from the immobilization of the best thermophilic bacterial isolates (MS 9, 12, 17, and 18) isolated from the Mudiak Sapan hot air source. Bacterial immobilization was carried out by the trapping method using 5% alginate and analyzed descriptively. Beads were made by mixing 5% Na-Alginate solution with bacterial isolates, then dripped into 0.2 M CaCl₂. Bead characteristics were observed based on shape, color, and diameter. The results showed that at a concentration of 5% alginate produced beads that tended to be round and rotten white in color with the number of bacterial colonies ranging from 107x101 to 137x101 .