Advancements in xanthan gum: A macromolecule for encapsulating plant probiotic bacteria with enhanced properties

Plant probiotic bacteria (PPBs) have been shown to improve plant growth and health in sustainable agriculture. However, environmental restrictions and competition from native microflora necessitate the using an effective formulation. Encapsulating PPBs has emerged as an approach to enhance their viability and delivery to plants. Xanthan gum (XG), generated by Xanthomonas campestris, is an exo-polysaccharide known for its high viscosity. It can enhance the controlled release of microcapsules for the delivery of PPBs. Although XG has been used to encapsulate food probiotic bacteria, extending it to the agriculture field is an innovative idea. XG may be used in many soils due to its high water solubility and wide pH range. Enclosing probiotic bacteria into XG provides advantages, such as increased survival rate, controlled release, and improved plant efficacy. Additionally, utilizing XG in a co-carrier system alongside other biopolymers improves encapsulation effectiveness and optimizes their release properties. This review article focuses on the characteristics and uses of XG in agriculture. The document focuses on revealing the use of XG combined with other biopolymers in a co-carrier system. It also highlights XG's function in enhancing microcapsule stability and discusses the benefits of using XG as a component in a controlled release system.