Role of carrier material in encapsulation of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) by spray drying

ABSTRACT

Yeast was encapsulated using different carrier materials and their combinations to explore the possible synergistic effect of carrier material during encapsulation using spray drying. Freeze-drying was performed for comparison. The dried cell powders were analyzed for the quality aspects (morphology, flowability, and storage stability). The best results were observed, with a combination of whey protein and corn starch (cell survival: 82.37% and yield: 56%, w/w) with a shelf life of 6 months (with only 10% reduction in cell survival). The survival was found to be 40% without any carrier material, which decreased to less than 25% within 4 weeks.

KEYWORDS:

• Carrier material
• encapsulation
• freeze-drying
• spray drying
• yeast

Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Director, CSIR-CFTRI, for the infrastructural facilities at the institute. The authors are also thankful to Mr. S. G. Jayaprakashan and Mr. G. Bammigatti for their support during the spray drying trials in the pilot plant.