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Polysaccharide-Based Encapsulation of Microbes for Enhanced Microbial Therapy

Ying Wang1,2, Zheng Zhu1,2, Mian Chen2

  • 1College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai 200234, China.

Polymer Science & Technology (Washington, D.C.)
|June 29, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Polysaccharide encapsulation shields living microbes from physiological barriers and immune attack, enhancing their therapeutic potential. This strategy offers a versatile platform for developing advanced microbial therapeutics.

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Microbiology
  • Drug Delivery

Background:

  • Living microorganisms show therapeutic promise but face challenges like physiological barriers and immune system clearance.
  • Polysaccharide polymers offer innovative encapsulation strategies to overcome these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review polysaccharide encapsulation strategies for enhancing living microbial therapeutics.
  • To analyze the functions and applications of polysaccharide-based encapsulation for microbial therapies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of encapsulation-compatible microbial taxa and polysaccharide properties (cationic, anionic, gel-forming, neutral).
  • Elaboration on non-covalent and covalent functionalization strategies for polysaccharides.
  • Analysis of key functions: protection, immunomodulation, targeted delivery, and synergistic therapy.

Main Results:

  • Polysaccharide encapsulation provides protective effects, immunomodulation, and targeted delivery for microbial therapeutics.
  • Applications demonstrated in treating tumors, bacterial infections, and inflammatory bowel diseases.

Conclusions:

  • Polysaccharide-based encapsulation is a versatile platform for augmenting the therapeutic functionality of living microbial therapeutics.
  • Further research is needed to address current challenges and guide the development of next-generation microbial therapeutics.
Keywords:
biomaterialsmicrobial encapsulationpolysaccharidesprobioticssynergistic therapytargeted delivery

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