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Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Process Development for the Spray-Drying of Probiotic Bacteria and Evaluation of the Product Quality
Published on: April 7, 2023
β-Lactoglobulin tablets as a suitable vehicle for protection and intestinal delivery of probiotic bacteria
Jean-François Poulin1, Romain Caillard, Muriel Subirade
1Chaire de recherche du Canada sur les protéines, les biosystèmes et les aliments fonctionnels, Institut des nutraceutiques et des aliments fonctionnels (INAF), Département des sciences des aliments et de nutrition, Pavillon Paul Comtois, Université Laval, Québec, Canada G1K 7P4.
Abstract:
The use of succinylated β-lactoglobulin as a novel functional tablet excipient for the protection of probiotic bacteria against the adverse gastric conditions and their delivery in the intestine was studied. Tablets were produced by direct compression of a dry mixture of Bifidobacterium longum HA-135 and the tested excipient. The results showed that tablets made of native β-lg did not ensure cell survival while grafting carboxylic acid groups on the protein revealed to be an innovative method to create a gastroresistant matrix that could allow the survival of up to 10(8)CFU and 10(7)CFU after 1h and 2h gastric incubation, respectively. When compared to other polymers, succinylated β-lg promoted the best survival both upon compression and after simulated gastric passage. The proportion of succinylated β-lg in the formulation could be lowered to 60% without modifying the protective ability of the matrix. Additionally, the tablets proved to be stable over a period of 3 months when refrigerated. Succinylated β-lg tablets are an interesting vehicle for the protection of acid-sensitive bacteria during transit in the upper gastro-intestinal tract.
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