Lactobacillus plantarum: Bacteria Based Self-
Healing Concrete for Cracks
Angelica Ancheta2, Jasten Rey D. Bunsocan2
2
College of Engineering Education, University of Mindanao
Matina, Davao City
2angelicaanchetaa@gmail.com
2jastenreybunsocan.jrb@gmail.com
Abstract— This study demonstrates the utilization of
microorganisms-Lactobacillus plantarum for mending concrete
as a plan for break control to upgrade the life of the solidIV.
structure. In this paper, Microbiologically Induced Calcite
Precipitation is used. It is the exertion of Lactobacillus plantarum
alongside its nutrients which is the Amino Acid, Thioglycolate and
Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3). The mixing proportion used is
1:2:4:0.55 along with 30ml liquid form of Lactobacillus plantarum
with its respective nutrients. The size of the samples are 4 inches
in diameter and 2 inches thick. The samples will be tested by
applying uniform pressure using Universal Testing Machine
(UTM) and observe if there are any changes with the cracks.
Index Terms: Microbiologically Induced Calcite Precipitation,
Lactobacillus plantarum, Conventional concrete, Bacterial
concrete.
I. INTRODUCTION
II. Self-healing concrete could solve the problem of concrete
structures deteriorating well before the end of their service life.
Concrete is still one of the main materials used in the construction
industry, from the foundation of buildings to the structure of
bridges and underground parking lots. Traditional concrete has a
flaw, it tends to crack when subjected to tension. Concrete will
continue to be the most important building material for
infrastructure, but most concrete structures are prone to cracking.
Tiny cracks on the surface of the concrete make the whole
structure vulnerable because water seeps in to degrade the
concrete and corrode the steel reinforcement, greatly reducing the
lifespan of a structure. Self-healing concrete is a product that will
biologically produce limestone to heal cracks that appear on the
surface of concrete structures. [11] Specially selected types of the
bacteria genus Bacillus, along with a calcium-based nutrient
known as calcium lactate is added to the ingredients of the
concrete when it is being mixed. [12] These self-healing agents
can lie dormant within the concrete for up to 200 years.[1] Self-
healing concrete is classified into two parts: autonomous self-
healing concrete and autogenous self-healing concrete. [15]
III. When the cracks appear in the concrete, the water seeps in the
cracks. The spores of the bacteria germinate and starts feeding on
the calcium lactate consuming oxygen. The soluble calcium
lactate is converted to insoluble limestone. The insoluble
limestone starts to harden. Thus, filling the crack. [9] The other
advantage of this process is, as the oxygen is consumed by the
bacteria to convert calcium into limestone, it helps in the
prevention of corrosion of steel due to cracks. This improves the
durability of steel reinforced concrete construction. [10] Self-
healing is also confirmed by SEM photographs and XRD
analysis. [13]
The starting point of the research was to find bacteria capable of
surviving in an extreme alkaline environment because cement
and water have high pH value when mixed together.[1] Bacteria
belonging to genus Bacillus are usually used in self-healing
concrete, which includes pasteurizing, Bacillus sphaericus,
Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cohnii, Bacillus balodurans, and
Bacillus pseudofirmus .[3] However, Lactobacillus plantarum
which is under the class of Bacilli, is a widespread member of the
genus Lactobacillus, commonly found in many fermented food
products as well as anaerobic plant matter.[4] Based on the study
in Diversity and Mechanisms of Alkali Tolerance in Lactobacilli,
it was stated that Lactobacillus Plantarum can withstand in a
high-alkaline environment.[2]
V. Ankit Ghatiya,[5] The purpose of their research is to investigate
the nature of microorganism Bacillus Pseudofirmus for
enhancement of self-healing property and strength in concrete.
Cracks in concrete are integral and are one of the implicit
weaknesses of concrete. Water and other salts percolate through
these cracks, corrosion introduce, and thus reduces the life of
concrete. Therefore, for enhance the mechanical properties of
concrete structures cement is replaced by Bacillus Pseudofirmus.
For this purpose Bacillus Pseudofirmus is replaced by 0%, 2.5%,
5% by the weight of cement. Numerous tests were conducted like
compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength and
stress-strain curve at the different percentage of Bacillus
Pseudofirmus 2.5%, 5% for the time period of 7, 14, and 28 days
curing and compare with conventional concrete. Chintalapudi
Karthik, Rama Mohan Rao. P, [6] To overcome costly repairs for
concrete cracks, self-healing techniques are adopted. Bio
mineralization techniques give favourable results in sealing the
micro-cracks in concrete. The freshly formed micro-cracks can
be sealed up by continuous hydration process in concrete. The
ureolytic bacteria i.e., bacillus pasteurii which can produce urea
is added along with the healing agent to seal the freshly formed
micro-cracks by CaCo3 precipitation. For the improvement of
pore structure in concrete the bacterial concentrations were
optimized for better results. A. Ghandimathi, N. Vigneswari, et
al, [7] in this study Bacillus Sphaericus that is abundant in soil
has been used to induced CaCO3. It is therefore vital to
understand the fundamentals of microbial participation in crack
remediation. The impact of ECO- friendly micro-organism has
been made use of the self-healing process in the current project.
Amudhavalli N. K., Keerthana K. Ranjani A, [8] their paper
explains about the overview of bacterial concrete. Self-healing
agents such as epoxy resins,bacteria, fibre are used to heal cracks
in concrete. Among these, bacteria used in concrete are effective.
1
 The state of art results in all projects show that material designed
as self-healing agents. H. Jonkers, V. Wiktor, et al, Bacteria
induced calcium carbonate precipitation based on metabolic
conversion of nutrients has been acknowledged for having
potentials in self-healing cement-based materials. The healing
efficiency was measured by water permeability test before and
after injection at several time intervals. The specimens injected
with bacteria based solution and cured in wet condition showed
higher healing efficiency compared to dry cured specimens.
The main purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness
of self-healing concrete using Lactobacillus Plantarum as
bacteria, time of healing and impact and to identify its weight.
This study will be perceived important because its success will
provide good quality concrete in the future. The outcome of the
study will also have an impact in the industry because it can bring
new discovery.
This study will be delimited to the use of Lactobacillus platarum
as bacteria for self-healing concrete and will be evaluated Cultured Lactobacillus Plantarum
consistent with the objectives of the study.

VI. MATERIALS AND METHODS

This section presents the methodological processes and
experiments that are performed to gather data for statistical analysis.

A. Materials and Resources

The ordinary concrete used in the test program are consist of
ordinary portland cement which is use as binding material, graded
fine aggregates that are below 4.75 mm, graded coarse aggregates
which are less than 16 mm, potable water, Lactobacillus
plantarum that are found in many fermented food products as
well as anaerobic plant matter or simply buy it in any pharmacy
called Lactopafi, and lastly the calcium lactate or the food of the
bacteria.

Lactobacillus plantarum under the microscope

B. Methods and Procedures

Bacteria Sub-Culturing
Microbiological culture made by exchanging a few cells from past
culture to crisp development medium. Sub-refined is utilized to drag
out the life and additionally grow the quantity of cells of
microorganisms in a culture. The ingredients are Lactobacillus
plantarum, Amino Acid, Thioglycolate broth, and Calcium Carbonate.
These are the nutrients needed for the bacteria to survive and it also
serves as its food or nutrient. The researchers used autoclave machine,
Liquid Lactobacillus Plantarum test tubes, and inoculating wire.

2
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4. Make 2 samples each. 9. (2013) The Masterbuilder website [Online]
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8. Place it in the mold. 8

After placing it in the mold, both bacterial concrete and

conventional concrete are cured for 28 days.

Sample Size