Lactobacillus acidophilus La-05 encapsulated by spray drying: Effect of mucilage and protein from flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum L.)

Flaxseed mucilage (FM) and soluble protein (FSP) were used as wall materials for encapsulating Lactobacillus acidophilus La-05 by spray drying. The effects of the content of FM in the encapsulating solution and drying temperature on the survival of bacterium after drying and its viability during storage were evaluated. Optimal conditions for maximizing the survival of L. acidophilus (78%) predicted by the surface response methodology were 0.2% w/v of FM and 110 °C. These encapsulating conditions permitted almost a 2-fold increase of viability compared to the product encapsulated without FM. A further increase in survival (90%) was obtained by supplementing the encapsulating solution with heat-treated FSP. Moreover, the encapsulation of L. acidophilus enhanced its viability during incubation in simulated gastric acid and bile solutions.