Chitosan coated alginate beads for the survival of microencapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum in pomegranate juice

► Chitosan coated beads increased cell survival in simulated gastric solution. ► Coated beads increased cell survival in pomegranate juice during 6-weeks storage. ► The beads' hardness decreased in the juice due to the sequestering of calcium ions. ► No correlation existed between cell survival and the hardness of the beads.