Emulsion Gel for Intestine-Specific Enzyme-Triggered Release of Probiotics

Area of Science:

• Food Science and Technology
• Biotechnology
• Materials Science

Background:

• Probiotics are essential for gut microbiota health but face survival challenges during oral delivery due to stomach acidity.
• Existing delivery methods often fail to protect probiotics, limiting their efficacy and therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel delivery system for enhancing probiotic survival and achieving intestine-specific release.
• To create a stable, processable emulsion gel capable of protecting probiotics from harsh gastrointestinal conditions.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of a water-in-oil jammed Pickering emulsion gel (JPEG) for probiotic encapsulation.
• Encapsulation of probiotics-loaded JPEG (PL-JPEG) into core-shell microparticles using microfluidics.
• Assessment of PL-JPEG stability (centrifugation, pH, temperature, time) and processability (shear-thinning behavior).
• Evaluation of probiotic survival rates and release mechanisms in simulated gastric and intestinal environments.

Main Results:

• PL-JPEG demonstrated excellent stability against various stress factors and exhibited shear-thinning properties for easy handling.
• Microencapsulated PL-JPEG significantly improved probiotic survival rates by shielding them from stomach acid.
• Probiotics were effectively released in the intestine via an enzyme-triggered mechanism involving lipase digestion of the oil phase.

Conclusions:

• The developed probiotics-loaded emulsion gel system offers a promising platform for protecting probiotics.
• This system facilitates intestine-specific delivery, enhancing the potential of probiotics in functional foods and pharmaceuticals.
• The study highlights the efficacy of jammed Pickering emulsion gels as a protective vehicle for oral probiotic delivery.