Development of Sodium Alginate/Cellulose Nanofiber (SA/CNF)-Based Hydrogels for Enhancing Probiotic Stability.

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Microbiology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Probiotic efficacy is often limited by low survival and activity in the gastrointestinal tract.
• Developing effective delivery systems is crucial for maximizing probiotic benefits for gut health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create protective hydrogel beads encapsulating Lactiplantibacillus plantarum CJLP 133.
• To evaluate the potential of a composite matrix of sodium alginate (SA) and cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) for enhanced probiotic delivery.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of SA/CNF hydrogel beads loaded with L. plantarum CJLP 133 using ionic gelation.
• Characterization using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
• In vitro assessment of probiotic survival under stress conditions and release profiles in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids.

Main Results:

• CNF integration improved hydrogel bead morphology, texture, and probiotic survival during thermal exposure and freeze-drying.
• The hydrogel system demonstrated protective swelling in simulated gastric fluid and targeted release in simulated intestinal fluid.
• The SA/CNF hydrogel enhanced probiotic growth, intestinal adhesion, and production of beneficial metabolites like butyrate and succinate.

Conclusions:

• SA/CNF composite hydrogels serve as effective delivery vehicles for probiotics.
• This system ensures targeted release and improved viability of L. plantarum CJLP 133 in the gastrointestinal tract.
• The developed hydrogels show potential for synbiotic applications to promote gut health.