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Effect of microencapsulation methods on the survival of freeze-dried Bifidobacterium bifidum

Fan Zhang1, Xiao Yan Li, Hyun Jin Park

  • 1College of Life Sciences, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, P.R. China.

Journal of Microencapsulation
|February 15, 2013
PubMed

Insights

The emulsion method using alginate and chitosan effectively protected Bifidobacterium bifidum in microcapsules. This probiotic delivery method enhances survival in simulated gastrointestinal conditions and during storage.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Food Science
  • Biotechnology

Background:

  • Probiotics, such as Bifidobacterium bifidum, offer health benefits but require protection for effective delivery.
  • Microencapsulation is a key technology for enhancing probiotic viability in food products.
  • Optimizing microencapsulation methods is crucial for maximizing probiotic survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of different preparation methods on the survival of encapsulated Bifidobacterium bifidum.
  • To identify the most effective microencapsulation technique for protecting B. bifidum.
  • To assess the stability and viability of B. bifidum encapsulated using the optimal method.

Main Methods:

  • Preparation of Bifidobacterium bifidum microcapsules using extrusion, emulsion, and coacervation methods.
  • Assessment of microcapsule diameter, encapsulation efficiency, and live cell count post-freeze-drying.
  • Evaluation of encapsulated B. bifidum resistance to simulated gastric juice and bile salt conditions.
  • Analysis of microencapsulated B. bifidum viability after prolonged storage under controlled conditions.

Main Results:

  • Microcapsules prepared via the emulsion method with alginate and chitosan demonstrated superior protection for B. bifidum.
  • High encapsulation efficiency (90.36%) and live cell count (3.01 × 10⁹ cfu/g) were achieved after freeze-drying.
  • Encapsulated B. bifidum showed significant resistance to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, maintaining cell numbers above 10⁹ cfu/g.
  • Viability remained high (8.61 × 10⁸ cfu/g) after 3 months of storage at 37°C and 60%-65% relative humidity.

Conclusions:

  • The emulsion method using alginate and chitosan is highly effective for microencapsulating Bifidobacterium bifidum.
  • This microencapsulation strategy significantly enhances probiotic survival against adverse conditions.
  • Alginate-chitosan microcapsules show promise for the functional food industry as a delivery vehicle for probiotics.

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