Aluminum carboxymethyl cellulose-rice bran microcapsules: Enhancing survival of Lactobacillus reuteri KUB-AC5

► A new AlCMC-rice bran (RB) composite as encapsulating materials for probiotics. ► Its role as heat protectors for enhancing survival of probiotics in feed additives. ► Effects of RB on reducing porosity of AlCMC hydrogels. ► Internal and external surface morphology of probiotic-loaded AlCMC-RB microcapsule. ► Analysis of chemical structures and bonding between probiotic, AlCMC and RB by FTIR.