Encapsulation of lactobacillus casei into calcium pectinate-chitosan beads for enteric delivery

Gel beads were prepared by extrusion of various types of pectin into 0.15 M calcium chloride. Size, morphology, and textural properties of 3 types of beads were evaluated and it was established that the use of 3 w/v % amidated pectin provides the optimal characteristics suitable for encapsulation of live bacteria. Lactobacillus casei NCIMB 30185 (PXN37) was encapsulated into calcium pectinate gel through the extrusion of a live bacteria dispersion in 3 w/v % pectin into a solution of calcium chloride. The capsules were then additionally coated with chitosan. The viability of bacteria within these capsules was studied under model gastrointestinal conditions in vitro (simulated gastric and intestinal juices). It was established that pectin-chitosan capsules can provide protection to L. casei from the gastric acid and result in high levels of viable bacteria released in the intestine

Microencapsulation for gastrointestinal delivery of probiotic bacteria

Microencapsulation (ME) offers the potential to reduce the adverse effects on probiotic viability in the food and gastrointestinal (GI) tract environments as well as during food or nutraceutical processing, storage, and consumption. ME separates bacterial cells from their environment until they are released. This chapter discusses the current knowledge and techniques used in the ME of probiotic micro-organisms to enhance the performance of these organisms during fermentation, downstream processing, and utilization in commercial products. The techniques include ME in gel particles using polymers, the extrusion technique, the emulsion technique, and spray-drying, spray-coating and spray-chilling technologies. Controlled release of bacteria is a critical benefit of ME. It is beneficial for encapsulated probiotic bacteria to be released in the small intestine where the Peyer's patches exist to activate the immune system. Potential applications of encapsulated probiotics include yoghurt, cheese and frozen desserts