Microencapsulation of <i>Lactobacillus casei</i> in chitosan-Ca-alginate microparticles using spray-drying method

Abstract

<jats:p>In this study, the probiotic Lactobacillus casei was microencapsulated using the method of spray-drying combined with polyelectrolyte complexation of alginate, fructooligosaccharide and chitosan, and cross-linking with calcium chloride, followed by freeze-drying. Survival rate and physicochemical properties of the prepared microparticles were evaluated. In addition, viability of Lactobacillus casei in simulated gastric and intestinal juices was investigated. Positively charged microparticles with average size of 11.08±1.1 μm and high cell viability of 10.98±0.11 log cfu/g were prepared. The synbiotic microparticles were stable during exposure to simulated gastric and intestinal juices, while release of viable cells above the therapeutic value (8.31±0.14 log cfu/g) in the simulated colonic pH was observed.The presented method for microencapsulation of synbiotics shows potential for effective protection of viable probiotic cells during exposure to harsh environmental conditions.</jats:p>