Effect of the Encapsulation Process on the Viability of Probiotics in a Simulated Gastrointestinal Tract Model Medium

Abstract

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the survival rate of three species of encapsulated bacteria (Propionibacterium acidipropionicici, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, and Propionibacterium thoenii) in model solutions designed to simulate the acidity levels found within the human gastrointestinal tract. The capsules were prepared by extrusion from gelatin and sodium alginate in a 1:1 ratio on a laboratory encapsulator. The use of gelatin and sodium alginate was found to provide optimum characteristics suitable for encapsulation of live bacteria. Three strains of Propionibacterium asidirgorionici, Propionibacterium freudenreichii, and Propionibacterium thoenii were subjected to in vitro assay to evaluate their probiotic potential. The final cell survival rate of P. freudenreichii was 105 CFU/mL, indicating that this probiotic is sensitive to acidic medium. The viability of encapsulated probiotics was studied in a model medium simulating the gastrointestinal tract. It was found that alginate–gelatin capsules could provide protection to P. freudenreichii from gastric acid and lead to high levels of viable bacteria released in the intestine. Practical application: Encapsulation of Propionibacterium freudenreichii into alginate–gelatin capsules produced capsules capable of delivering live probiotic bacteria into the intestine.

Use of Double Gelled Microspheres to Improve Release Control of Cinnamon-Loaded Nanoemulsions

“…These beads were then subjected to different types of incubation in order to study the effect of the addition of coatings and gelled layers (core-shell structures) on the release control. It has been reported in numerous studies [ 8 , 26 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ] that some encapsulation materials, especially alginate, have high permeability, high porosity and poor mechanical properties that reduce the protection of the active ingredient and the ability to control its release. In order to improve these properties, both core beads (Alg and Ch) were firstly formed and subsequently covered by a layer (shell) of the other polysaccharide and, in the case of the Ch-Alg capsules, the shell of alginate was gelled, obtaining a double gelled bead.…”

Optimization of encapsulation parameters for sodium alginate capsules: A study on the effect of temperature and gear pump rotation speed on capsule production and quality

“…In our previous studies, we described an installation for encapsulation by the droplet method (Jumazhanova et al, 2023; Kakimov et al, 2019). In order to improve this unit, the peristaltic pump, peristaltic pump drive motor and die were replaced by a gear pump and a plastic nozzle (Figure 1).…”

Nanoformulations in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Applications: Green Perspectives

“…Liposomes, minute vesicles composed of one or more lipid bilayers, serve as effective carriers for encapsulating hydrophilic, lipophilic, and amphiphilic biological active agents. These lipid vesicles are versatile and promising tools in the field of medicine, and they are used in treating various diseases [ 54 ], being used as drug carriers in the form of vesicles composed of lipids that are organized in one or more layers, forming the hydrophobic part of the liposome, while the inner aqueous media represent the hydrophilic parts which can include hydrophilic pharmaceutical forms. The frequent use of liposomes began in 1980, and even today they are one of the most common choices when it comes to carriers.…”