Selenium enriched green tea increase stability of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum in chitosan coated alginate microcapsules during exposure to simulated gastrointestinal and refrigerated conditions

The effects of selenium enriched green tea (SGT; 85.8-96 mg/kg) in different concentrations of 1 g and 2 g/100 mL, on the in vitro exposure to simulated gastrointestinal juice and refrigerated storage of encapsulated Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus plantarum were investigated in chitosan coated alginate beads. The encapsulation yield of viable cells in chitosan coated alginate beads with and without SGT was not significantly different (P < 0.05). These results together with the study about the survival of probiotic bacteria in microspheres with SGT during storage at 4 °C, demonstrated significantly higher number (P < 0.05) of survival bacteria in microcapsules with SGT 2 g/100 mL. Microencapsulated L. casei and L. plantarum with SGT 1 g and 2 g/100 mL were resistant to simulated gastric conditions (pH 2.0, 2 h) and bile solution (3 g/100 mL, 2 h) resulting in significantly (P < 0.05) improved survival when compared with microencapsulation without SGT addition.