Lactose‐free skim milk and prebiotics as carrier agents of Bifidobacterium BB‐12 microencapsulation: physicochemical properties, survival during storage and in vitro gastrointestinal condition behaviour.

Summary: Bifidobacterium BB‐12 was microencapsulated by spray drying using lactose‐free milk, lactose‐free milk and inulin, and lactose‐free milk and oligofructose, resulting in powders 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The highest encapsulation yield (88.01%) and the highest bifidobacteria viability during 120 days of storage were noted for spray‐dried powder 2. Spray‐dried powders 1 and 3 show a higher tendency to yellow colour. After being submitted to in vitro‐simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the best probiotic survival rate result was found for spray‐dried powder 3 (87.59%). Therefore, spray‐dried powders containing prebiotics were the most appropriate combinations for microencapsulation of Bifidobacterium BB‐12 and maintenance of cell viability during storage and gastrointestinal system, showing great potential to be used in lactose‐free dairy products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]