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Updated: Dec 20, 2025
Author Spotlight: Process Development for the Spray-Drying of Probiotic Bacteria and Evaluation of the Product Quality
Published on: April 7, 2023
Development of enteric polymer-based microspheres by spray-drying for colonic delivery of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Elie Akanny1, Sandrine Bourgeois2, Anne Bonhommé3
1Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Institut des Sciences Analytiques UMR 5280 CNRS, 5 rue de la Doua, F-69100 Villeurbanne, France; Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, LAGEPP UMR 5007 CNRS, 43 boulevard du 11 novembre 1918, F-69100 Villeurbanne, France.
Abstract:
Antibiotics are well-known disruptive elements of the intestinal microbiota and antibiotic-associated diarrhea appeared as the most common complication related with post-antibiotic dysbiosis. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) strain is very effective in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children and adults. However, as any probiotics, it is concerned by the loss of viability during storage and gastrointestinal transit. The aim of this study was to develop an encapsulation system suitable for the specific colonic delivery of LGG strain after oral administration. For this purpose, spray-dried Eudragit® S100 microparticles encapsulating LGG bacteria were developed by using an aqueous based spray-drying approach, avoiding the use of organic solvents. Carbohydrates were added to the formulation since they are widely used as protective agents of bacteria against the harmful effect of dehydration stress. Here, both Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and conventional plate count methods showed that carbohydrates increased the survival ratio of bacteria after spray-drying from 3 to more than 50%. Moreover, these protective agents ensured low residual moisture content thus providing great stability of the cells in the spray-dried powder during storage. Significant improvement of the cell viability in simulated gastro intestinal fluid (SGIF) was observed for encapsulated cells as compared with free LGG bacteria for which no viable cell was detectable after 1 h incubation in gastric fluid only. As a consequence, 4.5 × 107 CFU/g of encapsulated LGG were found viable after incubation of microparticles 1 h in Simulated Gastric Fluid followed by 6 h in Simulated Intestinal Fluid, corresponding to less than 3 log reduction of viable cells during the 7 h incubation in Simulated Gastro Intestinal Fluid. These results attested that the developed encapsulation system is suitable for its use as a bacteria carrier for specific colonic delivery.
Insights
Encapsulating Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) in Eudragit® S100 microparticles enhances bacterial survival during storage and gastrointestinal transit. This novel system ensures effective colonic delivery of probiotics, combating antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Biotechnology
- Pharmaceutical Sciences
Background:
- Antibiotics disrupt the gut microbiota, leading to antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD).
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) is a probiotic effective in preventing AAD.
- Probiotics like LGG face viability challenges during storage and gastrointestinal transit.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an encapsulation system for targeted colonic delivery of LGG.
- To improve LGG viability during storage and simulated gastrointestinal transit.
Main Methods:
- Spray-drying of LGG within Eudragit® S100 microparticles using an aqueous-based approach.
- Inclusion of carbohydrates as protective agents against dehydration stress.
- Assessment of bacterial viability using Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) and plate counts.
- Evaluation of cell survival in simulated gastrointestinal fluids (SGIF).
Main Results:
- Carbohydrates significantly increased LGG survival post-spray-drying from 3% to over 50%.
- Encapsulated LGG exhibited enhanced stability during storage due to low residual moisture.
- Encapsulated LGG showed significantly improved viability in SGIF compared to free LGG.
- 4.5 × 10^7 CFU/g of encapsulated LGG remained viable after 7 hours in SGIF, indicating minimal loss.
Conclusions:
- The developed Eudragit® S100 microparticle system effectively protects LGG.
- This encapsulation strategy ensures targeted colonic delivery and enhanced probiotic efficacy.
- The system holds promise for preventing AAD and restoring gut microbiota balance.
