Controlling the growth of Escherichia coli by layer-by-layer encapsulation

Escherichia coli is one of the most common commensal aerobic bacteria in the gut microbiota of humans (and other mammals). Nevertheless, if left free to proliferate, it can induce a large range of diseases from diarrhoea to extra-intestinal diseases. In recent years, this bacterium had become increasingly resistant to antibiotics. It is therefore essential to implement new approaches able to maintain both bacterial viability and to control their proliferation. In this context, we developed a process to encapsulate Escherichia coli in polymer shells. We took advantage of the fact that this bacterium has a negatively charged surface and modified it via a layer-by-layer process, i.e. with oppositely charged polyelectrolyte pairs (namely chitosan as the polycation and alginate or dextran sulfate as polyanion). We successfully demonstrate the controlled coating of the bacterial surface via zeta potential measurement, the viability of the encapsulated bacteria and a delay in growth due to the multilayer coating. This delay was dependent on the number of polyelectrolyte layers.