Microencapsulation of probiotics in finger millet milk complex to improve encapsulation efficiency and viability

Optimization of spray-drying process for the microencapsulation of L. Plantarum (MCC 2974) in ultrasound hydrated finger millet milk

Spray drying process was optimized for the development of probiotic finger millet milk powder. The independent parameters considered were inlet air temperature, maltodextrin content, and feed rate depending upon the preliminary trials. The major dependent quality parameters considered in the current work were moisture content, water activity, powder yield, encapsulation efficiency, and viability reduction. The desirability function was considered as a basis for the optimization of spray drying process. At the optimum process conditions of 151.68 °C of inlet air temperature, 100 mL/h of feed rate, and 29.32% of maltodextrin content, probiotic finger millet milk powder with 43.81% of powder yield and 84.97% of higher encapsulation efficiency could be achieved. The SEM analysis of the spray-dried powder confirmed the proper encapsulation of viable cells in the powder matrix. XRD analysis showed the amorphous powder structure suitable for other food applications. The promising results could be further utilized to produce non-dairy probiotic finger millet milk powder.

Modern and conventional processing technologies and their impact on the quality of different millets

Millet, the highly sustainable crop for farming and combating hunger, has recently regained a resurgence in popularity as people seek more sustainable and nutrient-dense alternatives. International organizations and research institutions have advocated for increased millet production and consumption by introducing novel technologies and machinery in response to global food security and climate change challenges. This review aims to identify the impact of modern and conventional processing technologies on the quality of different millets. A comprehensive analysis of research reviews reveals that double-stage and tabletop centrifugal dehullers, infrared roasting, pulsed light, ultrasound, high-pressure processing methods, fortification, and encapsulation are optimal for nutrient retention in various millets. Extrusion technology application in millet processing has created a diverse range of value-added products with extended shelf stability. Emphasis is needed to develop robust promotion and distribution channels and establish an export promotion forum involving all stakeholders to promote and diversify millet-based products and technologies.

Protein-polysaccharide based double network microbeads improves stability of Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 15697 in a gastro-Intestinal tract model (TIM-1)

Microencapsulation of probiotics is a main technique employed to improve cell survival in gastrointestinal tract (GIT). The present study investigated the impact of utilizing proteins i.e. Whey Protein Isolates (WPI), Pea Protein Isolates (PPI) or (WPI + PPI) complex based microbeads as encapsulating agents on the encapsulation efficiency (EE), diameter, morphology along with the survival and viability of Bifidobacterium infantis ATCC 15697. Results revealed that WPI + PPI combination had the highest EE% of the probiotics up to 94.09 % and the smoothest surface with less visible holes. WPI based beads revealed lower EE% and smaller size than PPI based ones. In addition, WPI based beads showed rough surface with visible signs of cracks, while PPI beads showed dense surfaces with pores and depressions. In contrast, the combination of the two proteins resulted in compact and smooth beads with less visible pores/wrinkles. The survival in gastrointestinal tract (GIT) was observed through TNO in-vitro gastrointestinal model (TIM-1) and results illustrated that all microbeads shrank in gastric phase while swelled in intestinal phase. In addition, in-vitro survival rate of free cells was very low in gastric phase (18.2 %) and intestinal phase (27.5 %). The free cells lost their viability after 28 days of storage (2.66 CFU/mL) with a maximum log reduction of 6.76, while all the encapsulated probiotic showed more than 106-7 log CFU/g viable cell. It was concluded that encapsulation improved the viability of probiotics in GIT and utilization of WPI + PPI in combination provided better protection to probiotics.

A comprehensive review on the utilization of biopolymer hydrogels to encapsulate and protect probiotics in foods

Probiotics must survive in foods and passage through the human mouth, stomach, and small intestine to reach the colon in a viable state and exhibit their beneficial health effects. Probiotic viability can be improved by encapsulating them inside hydrogel-based delivery systems. These systems typically comprise a 3D network of cross-linked polymers that retain large amounts of water within their pores. This study discussed the stability of probiotics and morphology of hydrogel beads after encapsulation, encapsulation efficiency, utilization of natural polymers, and encapsulation mechanisms. Examples of the application of these hydrogel-based delivery systems are then given. These studies show that encapsulation of probiotics in hydrogels can improve their viability, provide favorable conditions in the food matrix, and control their release for efficient colonization in the large intestine. Finally, we highlight areas where future research is required, such as the large-scale production of encapsulated probiotics and the in vivo testing of their efficacy using animal and human studies.

Probiotics encapsulated gastroprotective cross-linked microgels: Enhanced viability under stressed conditions with dried apple carrier

In the current study, Lactobacillus acidophilus was encapsulated in sodium alginate and whey protein isolate, with the addition of antacids CaCO3 or Mg(OH)2. The obtained microgels were observed by scanning electron microscopy. Encapsulated and free probiotics were subjected to vitality assay under stressed conditions. Furthermore, dried apple snack was evaluated as a carrier for probiotics for 28 days. A significant (p ≤ .05) effect of antacid with an encapsulating agent was observed under different stressed conditions. During exposure to simulated gastrointestinal conditions, there were observations of 1.24 log CFU and 2.17 log CFU, with corresponding 0.93 log CFU and 2.63 log CFU decrease in the case of SA + CaCO3 and WPI + CaCO3 respectively. Likewise, high viability was observed under thermal and refrigerated conditions for probiotics encapsulated with SA + CaCO3. In conclusion, the results indicated that alginate microgels with CaCO3 are effective in prolonging the viability of probiotics under stressed conditions.