Influence of encapsulation on the survival of probiotics in food matrix under simulated stress conditions

Survivability and behavior of probiotic bacteria encapsulated by internal gelation in non-dairy matrix and In Vitro GIT conditions

The primary objective of this investigation was to assess the viability of free and encapsulated Lactobacillus plantarum probiotics in mango juice and under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Specifically, the probiotics were encapsulated using sodium alginate and alginate-soy protein isolate through the internal gelation method, and the obtained probiotics were characterized for various attributes. Both free and encapsulated probiotics were exposed to challenging conditions, including thermal stress, low temperature, and simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Additionally, both types of probiotics were incorporated into mango juice, and their survival was monitored over a 28-day storage period. Following viability under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, the count of free and encapsulated probiotic cells decreased from initial levels of 9.57 log CFU/mL, 9.55 log CFU/mL, and 9.53 log CFU/mL, 9.56 log CFU/mL to final levels of 6.14 log CFU/mL, 8.31 log CFU/mL, and 6.24 log CFU/mL, 8.62 log CFU/mL, respectively. Notably, encapsulated probiotics exhibited a decrease of 1.24 log CFU and 0.94 log CFU, while free cells experienced a reduction of 3.43 log CFU and 6.24 log CFU in mango juice over the storage period. Encapsulated probiotics demonstrated higher viability in mango juice compared to free probiotics throughout the 28-day storage period. These findings suggest that mango juice can be enriched with probiotics to create a health-promoting beverage.

Harnessing the Health and Techno-Functional Potential of Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Comprehensive Review

This review examines the techno-functional properties of lactic acid bacteria (LABs) in the food industry, focusing on their potential health benefits. We discuss current findings related to the techno-functionality of LAB, which includes acidification, proteolytic and lipolytic features, and a variety of other biochemical activities. These activities include the production of antimicrobial compounds and the synthesis of exopolysaccharides that improve food safety and consumer sensory experience. LABs are also known for their antioxidant abilities, which help reduce oxidative reactions in foods and improve their functional properties. In addition, LABs' role as probiotics is known for their promising effects on gut health, immune system modulation, cholesterol control, and general wellbeing. Despite these advantages, several challenges hinder the effective production and use of probiotic LABs, such as maintaining strain viability during storage and transport as well as ensuring their efficacy in the gastrointestinal tract. Our review identifies these critical barriers and suggests avenues for future research.

Viability of Free and Alginate-Carrageenan Gum Coated Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lacticaseibacillus casei in Functional Cottage Cheese

The survivability of encapsulated and nonencapsulated probiotics consisting of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lacticaseibacillus casei and the nutritional, physicochemical, and sensorial features of cottage cheese were investigated under refrigeration storage at 4 °C for 28 days. Microbeads of L. acidophilus and L. casei were developed using 2% sodium alginate, 1.5% sodium alginate and 0.5% carrageenan, and 1% sodium alginate and 1% carrageenan using an encapsulation technique to assess the probiotic viability in cottage cheese under different gastrointestinal conditions (SGF (simulated gastric juice), SIF (simulated intestinal fluid)), and bile salt) and storage conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) elucidated the stable structure of microbeads, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the presence probiotics in the microcapsules, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrated the amorphous state of microbeads. Furthermore, the highest encapsulation efficiency was observed for alginate 1% and carrageenan 1% microbeads (T3), i.e., 95%. Likewise, viability was recorded in T3 against SGF, SIF, and bile salt solution, i.e., 8.5, 8.8, and 8.9 log CFU/g at 80 min of exposure, compared to the control. The results of pH showed a significant (p < 0.05) decline that ultimately increased the titratable acidity. Nutritional analysis of cottage cheese revealed the highest levels of ash, protein, and total solids in T3, exhibiting mean values of 3.2, 22, and 43.2 g/100 g, respectively, after 28 days of storage. The sensory evaluation of cottage cheese demonstrated better color, flavor, and textural attributes in T3. Conclusively, synergistic addition of L. acidophilus and L. casei encapsulated with alginate-carrageenan gums was found to be more effective in improving the viability of probiotics in cottage cheese than noncapsulated cells while carrying better magnitudes of ash and protein, lower acidity, and pleasant taste.

Characterization of white chocolate enriched with co-encapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-5) and rose hip shell fruit extract: Characterization, probiotic viability during storage, and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion

This research focused on the production of a new kind of probiotic chocolate containing co-encapsulated Lactobacillus acidophilus (La-5) bacteria and rose hip shell fruit extract. Several properties of chocolate samples, including rheological, textural, thermal properties, particle size distribution, color indices, total phenolic and anthocyanin magnitude, antioxidant potential, and Raman spectroscopy were performed. The prepared white chocolates were assessed for the survival of the probiotic cell and the stability of anthocyanins and phenolic components in different storage times (until 90 days) and different storage temperatures (at 4 and 25°C). Observations imply that both temperature and duration of storage had an impact on the extent of survival of probiotics as well as stability of total phenolic content (TPC) and anthocyanin content (p < .05). During in vitro gastrointestinal circumstances, the extent of survival of L. acidophilus, in two chocolate matrixes, was assessed. At the end of gastric and intestinal condition, the log of viable cells was 7 and 6, respectively. The magnitude of the bioaccessibility of anthocyanin and phenolic components was 81% and 78%, respectively. Sensory evaluation affirmed that there was no remarkable variation between samples in terms of overall acceptance.

The Influence of Whey Protein Isolate on the Quality Indicators of Acidophilic Ice Cream Based on Liquid Concentrates of Demineralized Whey

The use of liquid whey concentrates in the composition of ice cream, especially in combination with other powdered whey proteins, is limited due to their understudied properties. This article shows the main rheological and thermophysical characteristics of ice cream mixes, as well as color parameters, microstructure, analysis of ice crystals and quality indicators of ice cream during storage. The most significant freezing of free water (p ≤ 0.05) was observed in the temperature range from the cryoscopic temperature to -10 °C. The microscopy of experimental ice cream samples based on hydrolyzed whey concentrates indicates the formation of a homogeneous crystalline structure of ice crystals with an average diameter of 13.75-14.75 μm. Microstructural analysis confirms the expediency of using whey protein isolate in ice cream, which ensures uniform distribution of air bubbles in the product and sufficient overrun (71.98-76.55%). The combination of non-hydrolyzed whey concentrate and 3% whey protein isolate provides the highest stability to preserve the purity and color intensity of the ice cream during storage. The produced ice cream can be classified as probiotic (number of Lactobacillus acidophilus not lower than 6.2 log CFU/g) and protein-enriched (protein supply from 15.02-18.59%).

Probiotics: mechanism of action, health benefits and their application in food industries

Probiotics, like lactic acid bacteria, are non-pathogenic microbes that exert health benefits to the host when administered in adequate quantity. Currently, research is being conducted on the molecular events and applications of probiotics. The suggested mechanisms by which probiotics exert their action include; competitive exclusion of pathogens for adhesion sites, improvement of the intestinal mucosal barrier, gut immunomodulation, and neurotransmitter synthesis. This review emphasizes the recent advances in the health benefits of probiotics and the emerging applications of probiotics in the food industry. Due to their capability to modulate gut microbiota and attenuate the immune system, probiotics could be used as an adjuvant in hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, cancer, and gastrointestinal diseases. Considering the functional properties, probiotics are being used in the dairy, beverage, and baking industries. After developing the latest techniques by researchers, probiotics can now survive within harsh processing conditions and withstand GI stresses quite effectively. Thus, the potential of probiotics can efficiently be utilized on a commercial scale in food processing industries.

Alzheimer's Disease Treatment: The Search for a Breakthrough

As the search for modalities to cure Alzheimer's disease (AD) has made slow progress, research has now turned to innovative pathways involving neural and peripheral inflammation and neuro-regeneration. Widely used AD treatments provide only symptomatic relief without changing the disease course. The recently FDA-approved anti-amyloid drugs, aducanumab and lecanemab, have demonstrated unclear real-world efficacy with a substantial side effect profile. Interest is growing in targeting the early stages of AD before irreversible pathologic changes so that cognitive function and neuronal viability can be preserved. Neuroinflammation is a fundamental feature of AD that involves complex relationships among cerebral immune cells and pro-inflammatory cytokines, which could be altered pharmacologically by AD therapy. Here, we provide an overview of the manipulations attempted in pre-clinical experiments. These include inhibition of microglial receptors, attenuation of inflammation and enhancement of toxin-clearing autophagy. In addition, modulation of the microbiome-brain-gut axis, dietary changes, and increased mental and physical exercise are under evaluation as ways to optimize brain health. As the scientific and medical communities work together, new solutions may be on the horizon to slow or halt AD progression.

Stability and Survivability of Alginate Gum-Coated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in Simulated Gastrointestinal Conditions and Probiotic Juice Development

Survivability of probiotics is severely affected by harsh gastrointestinal conditions. In the present study, microbeads of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG were formulated using alginate (1.5% w/v) and combination of alginate (1.5% w/v) with xanthan gum (0.5% w/v) through an emulsion technique to improve bacterial viability in low pH orange juice and in gastrointestinal conditions. The microbeads were tested for encapsulation efficiency, survivability in bile salt, SGF (simulated gastric juice), SIF (simulated intestinal fluid), and storage stability. Probiotic orange juice was formulated and tested for physicochemical parameters (pH, titratable acidity, and total sugars) and sensorial properties during storage. Gum-coated alginate microbeads (T3) showed higher encapsulation efficiency, i.e., 95.2% compared to alginate microbeads (T2), i.e., 86.85%. Similarly, T3 showed the highest resistance against bile salt (8.50 log CFU/g), SGF (7.95 log CFU/g), and SIF (8.0 log CFU/g) during 80 min exposure compared to T2 and free cells. The viability of gum-coated alginate beads (T3) remained above 107 CFU/g in gastrointestinal conditions and at the end of 21 days storage (8.3 log CFU/mL). All physicochemical parameters of probiotic juice were significantly ( $p\le 0.05$ ) decreased with respect to storage except acidity. In addition, minimal changes in physicochemical parameters were observed in T3 compared to other treatments. Treatment had no significant impact on the sensory characteristics of juice, but storage had a significant effect ( $p\le 0.05$ ) on the sensory characteristics of juice. The alginate gum microbeads improve the survivability of probiotics for targeted delivery. Hence, encapsulated probiotics can be used for functional beverage development to take advantage of their therapeutic benefits.

Upgrading the Functional Potential of Apple Pomace in Value-Added Ingredients with Probiotics

Emerging customized designs to upgrade the functional potential of freeze-dried apple pomace was used in this study, in order to transform the industrial by-products into ingredients containing probiotics, for a better and healthier food composition. The freeze-dried apple pomace was analyzed for free and bounded phenolic contents, highlighting a significant level of caffeic acid (4978.00 ± 900.00 mg/100 g dry matter (DM)), trans-cinnamic acid (2144.20 ± 37.60 mg/100 g DM) and quercetin 3-β-D-glucoside (236.60 ± 3.12 mg/100 g DM). The pectin extraction yield was approximatively 24%, with a degree of esterification of 37.68 ± 1.74%, and a methoxyl content of 5.58 ± 0.88%. The freeze-dried apple pomace was added in a different ratio as a supplement to cultural medium of Loigolactobacillus bifermentans MIUG BL 16, suggesting a significant prebiotic effect (p < 0.05) at concentration between 1% and 2%. The apple pomace was used to design three freeze-dried ingredients containing probiotic, with a high level of polyphenolic content (6.38 ± 0.14 mg gallic acid equivalents/g DM) and antioxidant activity (42.25 ± 4.58 mMol Trolox/g DM) for the powder containing apple pomace ethanolic extract. When inulin was used as a prebiotic adjuvant, the obtained powder showed a 6 log/g DM viable cell count. The ingredients were added to fermented vegetable soy milk-based products, allowing us to improve the polyphenolic content, antioxidant activity and viable cell counts. The approach designed in this study allowed us to obtain ingredients suitable to add value to food, whereas premises to align with the current circular economy premises, by reintegrating the industrial waste as sources of high added value compounds, are also provided.

Hydrogels as promising carriers for the delivery of food bioactive ingredients

The burden of public health challenges associated with the western dietary and living style is growing. Nutraceuticals have been paid increasing attentions due to their effects in promotion of health. However, in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, the nutraceuticals suffer from not only the harsh acidic environment of the stomach and a variety of digestive enzymes, but also the antibacterial activity of intestinal bile salts and the action of protease from the gut microbiota. The amount of the nutraceuticals arriving at the sites in GI tract for absorption or exerting the bioactivities is always unfortunately limited, which puts forward high requirements for protection of nutraceuticals in a certain high contents during oral consumption. Hydrogels are three-dimensional polymeric porous networks formed by the cross-linking of polymer chains, which can hold huge amounts of water. Compared with other carries with the size in microscopic scale such as nanoparticle and microcapsules, hydrogels could be considered to be more suitable delivery systems in food due to their macroscopic bulk properties, adjustable viscoelasticity and large spatial structure for embedding nutraceuticals. Regarding to the applications in food, natural polymer-based hydrogels are commonly safe and popular due to their source with the appealing characteristics of affordability, biodegradability and biocompatibility. Although chemical crosslinking has been widely utilized in preparation of hydrogels, it prefers the physical crosslinking in the researches in food. The reasonable design for the structure of natural polymeric hydrogels is essential for seeking the favorable functionalities to apply in the delivery system, and it could be possible to obtain the enhanced adhesive property, acid stability, resistant to bile salt, and the controlled release behavior. The hydrogels prepared with proteins, polysaccharides or the mix of them to deliver the functional ingredients, mainly the phenolic components, vitamins, probiotics are discussed to obtain inspiration for the wide applications in delivery systems. Further efforts might be made in the in situ formation of hydrogels in GI tract through the interaction among food polymers and small-molecular ingredients, elevation of the loading contents of nutraceuticals in hydrogels, development of stomach adhesive hydrogels as well as targeting modification of gut microbiota by the hydrogels.