Fig. 5

a Cell leakage from beads n = 5; mean \(\:\pm\:\:\)SD; RM-ANOVA with Bonferroni’s post-hoc test, p < 0.001. the marked circles indicate the cell leakages from bead systems corresponding to increase of leaked bacteria in the medium. b AFM studies on the structural integrity of chitosan-coated alginate and carrageenan beads at days 0, 5 and 7. Day 0- smooth, intact bead surfaces loaded with bacteria, Day 5- red arrows showing cells on surface of alginate beads already, no cells seen on coated beads, Day 7- Alginate and chitosan coated beads showing disintegration, carrageenan coated bead still intact. Uncoated alginate beads: Cells visible on the bead surface by day 5 (b, highlighted with arrows), Complete bead rupture observed by day 7. Coated beads: Demonstrated superior cell retention compared to uncoated beads