Microencapsulation of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis in Modified Alginate-chitosan Beads and Evaluation of Survival in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions

Abstract

Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis was entrapped in alginate, alginate-chitosan, alginate-chitosan-Sureteric and alginate-chitosan-Acryl-Eze. Survival and in vitro release of bifidobacteria from the microparticles were investigated under conditions simulating gastrointestinal fluids covering the pH range from 1.5 to 7.5, with and without pepsin (3gL⁻¹), pancreatin (1gL⁻¹), and bile (10gL⁻¹). All types of microcapsules protected B. animalis, but the use of chitosan and enteric polymers in the formulation of the beads, especially Acryl-Eze, enhanced the beneficial effects of the microencapsulation technique. Besides promoting the controlled release of bifidobacteria in simulated gastrointestinal juices, the microencapsulation with enteric polymers improved the survival rate of these microorganisms.

Key Words:

• Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis
• microencapsulation
• alginate
• chitosan
• enteric polymers
• gastrointestinal juices

ACKOWLEDGEMENTS

This work was supported by grant n° 474863/2003-4 from CNPq (Brazilian National Research Council). Author Liserre, A.M. was recipient of a Ph.D. scholarship from FAPESP (The State of São Paulo Research Foundation) Proc. 01/13095-2.