Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

Synthesizing Sodium Tungstate and Sodium Molybdate Microcapsules via Bacterial Mineral Excretion
Published on: January 30, 2018
Preparation and Characterization of Metal-Tannic Acid Coated Microorganisms
Yuemei Zhang1, Yuan Qin1, Yuping Zhou2
1Guangzhou Municipal and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Target and Clinical Pharmacology, the NMPA and State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences and the Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Abstract:
Microorganisms have broad applications in disease treatment, bioremediation, and gut microbiota modulation. However, their survival rate and targeted delivery efficiency in complex environments, such as the gastrointestinal tract, remain major practical challenges. Metal-tannic acid complexes exhibit excellent biocompatibility, tunable degradability, and surface functionalization potential, making them suitable for constructing protective coatings on microbial surfaces. This chapter describes a robust and straightforward protocol for fabricating a conformal metal-phenolic network (MPN) coating on microorganisms via the sequential self-assembly of iron ions (Fe3+) and tannic acid. The method includes detailed procedures for material preparation, the rapid coating process, comprehensive characterization, and functional assessment. This simple, versatile, and efficient strategy offers a promising platform for advancing probiotic encapsulation and engineered microbial therapeutics.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Corrosion
Preparation of Samples for Electron Microscopy
EDTA: Auxiliary Complexing Reagents

