Immobilization and microencapsulation of Lactobacillus plantarum: Performances and in vivo applications

A promising strain of Lactobacillus plantarum with probiotic traits was loaded into alginate beads and adsorbed on apple pieces (food-like system). The encapsulation efficiency of beads was very high (upon to 93%); moreover, the capsules assured cell viability for a long time (from 20 to 50 days) and protected the target under simulated gastro-intestinal conditions. Both beads and apple pieces were used to guide a model fermentation in soy milk; the amount of cells released and grown varied from 8.3 log cfu/ml to 7.8 log cfu/ml, and the fermentation efficiency of microencapsulated/immobilized cells was high.Industrial RelevanceThe use of a bio-catalyst could be a promising way to guide and control food fermentations, as a bio-catalyst assures a controlled release and/or kinetic of the starter. Moreover, a bio-catalyst is a good carrier for probiotics into the gut.

► L. plantarum was loaded into alginate beads or adsorbed on apple pieces.
► The yield of beads was very high and they protect the target into gut.
► Both beads and apple pieces could be used as biocatalyst for model fermentations.