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Published on: April 7, 2023
Protein-Based Probiotic Delivery Systems: Structural Basis, Functional Roles, and Food Applications
Jinghang Zhang1, Haifu Jia1, Xiyuan Zhang1
1Key Laboratory of Dairy Science, Ministry of Education, College of Food Science, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China.
Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety
|August 8, 2026
Summary
Food proteins can be engineered into delivery systems to protect probiotics during processing and digestion. This review explores protein assembly for creating diverse structures that enhance probiotic functionality in foods.
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Biomaterials Science
- Microbiology
Background:
- Probiotics offer health benefits but are vulnerable to processing and digestion stresses.
- Effective delivery systems are crucial for maintaining probiotic viability and function in food products.
- Food proteins are promising biomaterials for developing protective probiotic delivery systems due to their properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the formation pathways of protein-based probiotic delivery materials.
- To elucidate the functional roles of protein materials in probiotic delivery systems.
- To discuss the application and safety of these systems in food.
Main Methods:
- Exploration of protein self-assembly and co-assembly with other molecules (polysaccharides, polyphenols).
- Categorization of delivery structures formed, including nanoparticles, nanogels, hydrogels, and nanofibers.
- Analysis of protein materials' roles in encapsulation, scaffold construction, and interfacial regulation.
Main Results:
- Diverse protein-based delivery structures (nanoparticles, nanogels, hydrogels, etc.) can be formed through various assembly pathways.
- Protein materials effectively perform encapsulation, scaffold construction, and interfacial regulation for probiotics.
- Protein delivery systems show adaptability to different food matrices, with safety considerations highlighted.
Conclusions:
- Protein assembly provides a versatile strategy for designing advanced probiotic delivery systems.
- Understanding structural evolution is key for optimizing protein-based delivery systems for food applications.
- Protein materials offer a promising avenue for enhancing the efficacy and application of probiotics in the food industry.
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