Flaxseed protein isolate-alginate microbeads as encapsulating agents for enhanced survival of Enterococcus faecalis HZNU S1 during storage and in vitro gastrointestinal conditions

Figures & data

Figure 1. Optical micrographs of flaxseed protein isolate-alginate microbeads. Microbeads were produced using flaxseed protein isolate and alginate at a ratio of 2:1 (v/v).

Figure 2. Viability of encapsulated E. faecalis HZNU S1 in simulated gastric juice (SGJ) pH 2.0 and 2.5 for 0, 10, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. Values presented are means ± standard deviations (n = 3). free (non-encapsulated) E. faecalis HZNU S1 showed no viable cells after 30 min at pH 2.5 and 2.0 SGJ (results not shown).

Table 1. Stability of free and encapsulated E. faecalis HZNU S1 after exposure to 1.0 and 2.0% bile salt solution for 1 and 2 h (Log CFU/mL or g microbeads).

Conditions/time	Bile concentrations (%)
	0	1.0	2.0
Free cells (1 h)	10.01 ± 0.12	0	0
Encapsulated cells (1 h)	10.03 ± 0.11	9.23 ± 0.12	8.35 ± 0.08
Free cells (1 h)	10.02 ± 0.09	0	0
Encapsulated cells (2 h)	10.01 ± 0.13	8.53 ± 0.11	8.02 ± 0.10

Note: Values are means ± standard deviations (n = 3).

Figure 3. Release profile of encapsulated E. faecalis HZNU S1 in simulated intestinal juice (SIJ) pH 6.8 at 37 °C for 4 h. Values presented are means ± standard deviations (n = 3).

Figure 4. Viable stability of free and encapsulated E. faecalis HZNU S1 in flaxseed protein isolate-sodium alginate microbeads at 4 °C for two weeks (A) and 25 °C for eight days (B). Values presented are means ± standard deviations (n = 3).

Data availability statement

The experimental data supporting this study are freely available from the corresponding authors upon reasonable request.