Influence of immobilization parameters on growth and lactic acid production by Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus co-immobilized in calcium alginate gel beads

Streptococcus thermophilusand Lactobacillus bulgaricus were co-immobilized in different systems with varying calcium (0.1–1.5M) and alginate (1–2, w/v) concentrations. Highest lactic acid production was 35 g l1 when both bacteria were in high viscosity beads (1, w/v alginate) hardened in 0.1 M CaCl2 .The gel bead composition affected size and distribution of entrapped lactic acid bacteria.