Enhanced Production of Indole-3-Acetic Acid by Bacillus Strains Using Immobilized Cell Systems on AMBERJET® 4200 for Potential Application as Agricultural Bioinoculants

Freddy  Castillo-Alfonso; Mickel Palomino; Jorge  González-Bacerio; Alberto del Monte Martínez; Marcia M.  Rojas; Roberto  Olivares-Hernández

doi:10.56093/aaz.v65i1.173153

Authors

Freddy Castillo-Alfonso Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, Calle 25, #455, e/ J e I, Vedado, 10400, La Habana, Cuba https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8069-6161
Mickel Palomino Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, Calle 25, #455, e/ J e I, Vedado, 10400, La Habana, Cuba https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2372-6038
Jorge González-Bacerio Departamento de Bioquímica, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, Cuba https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7155-9165
Alberto del Monte Martínez Centro de Estudio de Proteínas, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, Calle 25, #455, e/ J e I, Vedado, 10400, La Habana, Cuba https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9608-5448
Marcia M. Rojas Departamento de Microbiología y Virología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de La Habana, Cuba https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7175-8500
Roberto Olivares-Hernández Departamento de Procesos y Tecnología, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Cuajimalpa, Av. Vasco de Quiroga 4871, Col. Santa Fe Cuajimalpa, Delegación Cuajimalpa, Ciudad de México, 05348, México, México

https://doi.org/10.56093/aaz.v65i1.173153

Keywords:

indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB), cell immobilization, bioinoculants

Abstract

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) play a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture through the production of phytohormones such as indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Among them, Bacillus spp. Are particularly noted for their metabolic versatility and environmental resilience. This study aimed to compare IAA production by free-living versus immobilized Bacillus strains (RC9 and RC15), isolated from coffee rhizospheres, using AMBERJET® 4200 Cl- as a porous solid support. The strains were cultured in a minimal medium supplemented with tryptophan, and IAA synthesis was quantified via colorimetric (Salkowski reagent) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) methods. Immobilized cells demonstrated significantly higher IAA yields and specific productivity compared to their free-cell counterparts (p < 0.05), even when cell density was suboptimal levels. Notably, the RC9 immobilized derivative outperformed all experimental set ups, suggesting enhanced bioconversion efficiency and possible activation of endogenous biosynthetic pathways. These findings underscore the potential of immobilization technology to optimize microbial auxin production and contribute to the development of bioinoculants for sustainable crop management.

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