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Orally delivered probiotics must survive transit through harsh environments during gastrointestinal (GI) digestion and be delivered and released into the target site. The aim of this work was to evaluate the survivability and delivery of gel-encapsulated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) to the colon. New hybrid symbiotic beads alginate/prebiotic pullulan/probiotic LGG were obtained by the extrusion method. The average size of the developed beads was 3401 µm (wet), 921 µm (dry) and the bacterial titer was 109 CFU/g. The morphology of the beads was studied by a scanning electron microscope, demonstrating the structure of the bacterial cellulose shell and loading with probiotics. For the first time, we propose adding an enzymatic extract of feces to an artificial colon fluid, which mimics the total hydrolytic activity of the intestinal microbiota. The beads can be digested by fecalase with cellulase activity, indicating intestinal release. The encapsulation of LGG significantly enhanced their viability under simulated GI conditions. However, the beads, in combination with the prebiotic, provided greater protection of bacteria, enhancing their survival and even increasing cell numbers in the capsules. These data suggest the promising prospects of coencapsulation as an innovative delivery method based on the inclusion of probiotic bacteria in a symbiotic matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encapsulation comprises a promising potential for the targeted delivery of entrapped sensitive agents into the food system. A unique combination of cellulose/chitosan (Cl-Ch)-based hybrid wall material was employed to encapsulate L. plantarum by emulsion technique. The developed beads were further subjected to morphological and in vitro studies. The viability of free and encapsulated probiotics was also evaluated in kefir during storage. The developed beads presented porous spherical structures with a rough surface. A 1.58 ± 0.02 log CFU/mL, 1.26 ± 0.01 log CFU/mL, and 1.82 ± 0.01 log CFU/mL reduction were noticed for Cl-Ch hybrid cells under simulated gastro-intestinal and thermal conditions, respectively. The encapsulated cells were found to be acidic and thermally resistant compared to the free cells. Similarly, encapsulated probiotics showed better viability in kefir at the end of the storage period compared to free cells. In short, the newly developed Cl-Ch hybrid-based encapsulation has a promising potential for the targeted delivery of probiotics, as career agents, in gastric transit, and in foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kafirin microparticles have potential as colon-targeted delivery systems because of their ability to protect encapsulated material from digestive processes of the upper gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The aim was to optimize prednisolone loading into kafirin microparticles, and investigate their potential as an oral delivery system. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to predict the optimal formulation of prednisolone loaded microparticles. Prednisolone release from the microparticles was measured in simulated conditions of the GIT. The RSM models were inadequate for predicting the relationship between starting quantities of kafirin and prednisolone, and prednisolone loading into microparticles. Compared to prednisolone released in the simulated gastric and small intestinal conditions, no additional drug release was observed in simulated colonic conditions. Hence, more insight into factors affecting drug loading into kafirin microparticles is required to improve the robustness of the RSM model. This present method of formulating prednisolone-loaded kafirin microparticles is unlikely to offer clinical benefits over commercially available dosage forms. Nevertheless, the overall amount of prednisolone released from the kafirin microparticles in conditions simulating the human GIT demonstrates their ability to prevent the release of entrapped core material. Further work developing the formulation methods may result in a delivery system that targets the lower GIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thanks to the beneficial properties of probiotic bacteria, there exists an immense demand for their consumption in probiotic foods worldwide. Nevertheless, it is difficult to retain a high number of viable cells in probiotic food products during their storage and gastrointestinal transit. Microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria is an effective way of enhancing probiotic viability by limiting cell exposure to extreme conditions via the gastrointestinal tract before releasing them into the colon. This research aims to develop a new coating material system of microencapsulation to protect probiotic cells from adverse environmental conditions and improve their recovery rates. Hence, Lactobacillus rhamnosus was encapsulated with emulsion/internal gelation techniques in a calcium chloride solution. Alginate–probiotic microbeads were coated with xanthan gum, gum acacia, sodium caseinate, chitosan, starch, and carrageenan to produce various types of microcapsules. The alginate+xanthan microcapsules exhibited the highest encapsulation efficiency (95.13 ± 0.44%); they were simulated in gastric and intestinal juices at pH 3 during 1, 2, and 3 h incubations at 37 °C. The research findings showed a remarkable improvement in the survival rate of microencapsulated probiotics under simulated gastric conditions of up to 83.6 ± 0.89%. The morphology, size, and shape of the microcapsules were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. For the protection of probiotic bacteria under simulated intestinal conditions; alginate microbeads coated with xanthan gum played an important role, and exhibited a survival rate of 87.3 ± 0.79%, which was around 38% higher than that of the free cells (49.4 ± 06%). Our research findings indicated that alginate+xanthan gum microcapsules have a significant potential to deliver large numbers of probiotic cells to the intestines, where cells can be released and colonized for the consumer's benefit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]