Figure 6.

Probiotic self-grown capsules based on cellulose derived from self-assembled biofilms in an oil-water emulsion. Part A shows water-in-oil emulsion loaded with nutrients and the bacterium Gluconacetobacter xylinus, enclosed in the water phase. Over time the bacteria use the sugars and secrete cellulose which forms a uniform layer over the cells enclosed in the water phase (a) and his ultimately leads to the formation of bacterial self-produced cellulose capsules (b). Part B (a, b, and c) shows scanning electron microscopy images of the biofilm-based cellulose capsule with visible cellulose fiber network under three different magnifications (100, 10, and 2 µm). This figure is reproduced with permission.¹¹³