Investigation of pectin/starch hydrogel as a carrier for oral delivery of probiotic bacteria

- Novel food-grade hydrogel based on pectin/starch was prepared for probiotic colon delivery.
- L. plantarum cells were encapsulated in pectin/starch hydrogels by extrusion method.
- Optical and scanning images showed the distribution of probiotic cells in the hydrogel network.
- Pectin/starch hydrogels provided better stability of the cells under acidic condition.

The present study highlights the fabrication of novel food-grade hydrogel particles based on pectin and starch for probiotic colon delivery. Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC:13643 (L. plantarum) cells were encapsulated in pectin/starch hydrogels by extrusion method. Four batches were formulated with different ratios of starch/pectin solutions. Optical and scanning electron microscopy obviously showed the random distribution of L. plantarum throughout the hydrogel network. The viability of encapsulated cells in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and bile salt solution was significantly higher when compared to nonencapsulated cells. Results demonstrated that encapsulated cells in pectin/starch hydrogels were resistant against adverse conditions of the gastro-intestinal tract and bile salt solution compared to non-encapsulated cells. After sequential exposure to simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) for 2 h almost complete death of free cells was observed however the numbers of surviving cells were 5.15 and 6.67 Log CFU/g for pectin and pectin/starch hydrogel, respectively.