Growth characteristics and acidifying activity of Lactobacillus rhamnosus in alginate/starch liquid-core capsules

Alginate liquid core capsule formation using the simple extrusion dripping method

“…Encapsulation technology has been widely used in cells cultivation system, medicinal drug and nutritional supplements delivery, as well as liquid-liquid extraction [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. In general, active ingredients such as living cells, drugs, extracts, nutrients and solvents are encapsulated (or confined) in a gel particle, either in the form of capsule or bead [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9].…”

“…In general, active ingredients such as living cells, drugs, extracts, nutrients and solvents are encapsulated (or confined) in a gel particle, either in the form of capsule or bead [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]. Liquid core capsule is a gel particle made up of an internal liquid core that contains the active ingredient and an external shell "membrane" layer surrounding the active ingredient [4][5][6][7][8]. Compared to beads, the liquid core allows homogeneous mass transfer of the ingredient through the shell membrane [4,5,[7][8][9][10].…”

“…Liquid core capsule is a gel particle made up of an internal liquid core that contains the active ingredient and an external shell "membrane" layer surrounding the active ingredient [4][5][6][7][8]. Compared to beads, the liquid core allows homogeneous mass transfer of the ingredient through the shell membrane [4,5,[7][8][9][10]. The liquid core also provides ample space for large active ingredient loading and cell growth without enlarging the membrane, thus prevents leakage of the ingredient load, especially the cells into the bulk [4,6].…”

“…Liquid core capsules are generally made of alginate, and they are formed using the extrusion dripping method [4][5][6][7]. In the formation of liquid core capsules, the active ingredient is mixed with calcium chloride solution and then extruded as droplets into alginate solution.…”

“…In order to ensure spherical capsules are formed, manipulation of several process variables of the formation process is needed. These variables included the physical properties of alginate solution and liquid core solution, types of alginate, cavity depth, collecting distance, dripping velocity and gelation time [4][5][6][7][11][12][13]. However, the suitable process variables are obtained after many trials and errors, which are tedious and time consuming.…”